By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
For a second straight game the Kansas City Royals got a strong performance by their starting pitcher, but were unable to provide run support, falling 3-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon.
In his first start since Opening Day, Cole Ragans pitched five innings and surrendered just one run on five hits, striking out an oustanding 10 Brewers batters, walking just two, at American Family Field.
The lone run surrendered by Ragans came in the first inning to the second batter. After striking out Brice Turang, Ragans hung a changup down the middle to Jackson Chourio which was promptly put into the left field stands to give the early lead to Milwaukee.
Kansas City answered in the bottom half of the inning. Michael Massey hit a ground rule double after Salvador Perez flew out to open the inning. And after Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging, Cavan Biggio drove in Massey on an RBI single, tying the game at 1-1, where it would stay until the 10th inning.
The Royals struggled to figure out Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, who after holding the hot hitting Yankees to two runs on four hits in his Opening Day start over five innings, shut down the Royals bats over eight innings, striking out eight and allowing just two hits through his start.
Kansas City took the lead in the top half of the 10th inning, a single from Massey driving in Tyler Tolbert, who pinch ran for Vinnie Pasquantino who started the inning at second base. But Milwaukee tied the game back up in the bottom half immediatly as Chourio doubled to score Turang. After back to back intentional walks, reliever Carlos Estévez was able to escape a bases loaded jam to force the 11th inning.
Kansas City would not score in the top half, getting a runner to third base before Jonathan India struck out to end the chance. In the bottom half, with a runner on third, Turang bunted for a single, back to pitcher Sam Long who tried to throw to first base, scoring Oliver Dunn for the walk off win.
Massey led the way hitting for the Royals going 2-4 with one run batted in. India and Biggio had the only other hits for Kansas City, who for a second game in a row managed just four hits total.
The Royals return home to the comforts of Kauffman Stadium next to take on the Baltimore Orioles starting Friday. Seth Lugo will start for the Royals, no starter has been announced for Baltimore.
First pitch Friday will be at 6:40pm, with pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680 AM/95.3 FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.