By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
CLEVELAND- The Kansas City Royals bounced back from a series opening loss to the Cleveland Guardians, winning 4-3 in Thursday's series finale before traveling back to Kansas City.
The Royals took an early lead in the first when first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino doubled to drive in Maikel Garcia who led the game off reaching first on an error by Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez.
Cleveland would tie the game up in the bottom half of the inning before taking the lead in the bottom of the third, then adding another run in the fourth inning to lead Kansas City 3-1.
Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer struggled in his start, pitching just 3.2 innings before being pulled, giving up nine hits and the three runs, two earned, striking out just two batters. Will Smith would get the final out of the fourth inning.
Kansas City would tie the game up in the top of the sixth inning. With catcher Freddy Fermin and left fielder MJ Melendez on base, right fielder Hunter Renfroe would double down the left field line, scoring Fermin.
After an Adam Frazier ground out, Kyle Isbel would come to the plate, grounding into a fielder's choice with Melendez being thrown out at home. Though initially Melendez was called out at home, a challenge by manager Matt Quatraro got the call overturned, and the Royals tied the game 3-3. Garcia ground into a double play to end the inning.
With two outs in the top of the eighth the Royals would rally to take the lead, a double by Frazier would be followed up by another single from Isbel, bringing Frazier around to score and give the Royals their 4-3 lead.
The Royals bullpen combined for 5.1 scoreless innings of relief between Smith, Angel Zerpa, Sam Long who earned the win, John Schreiber, and James McArthur who notched his 12th save of the season.
Kansas City is now 37-26 on the season and will return to Kanss City for a three game weekend series with the Seattle Mariners. Daniel Lynch is slated to start the series opener for the Royals against Seattle's Bryce Miller. First pitch is at 7:10pm with pregame at 6:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).