The Kansas City Royals split their doubleheader with the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, July 26 at Kauffman Stadium, claiming an extra-innings 5-3 victory in the matinee, but falling behind early in the evening’s 6-4 loss.
In the day game, a make up from Friday’s rain-out, the Royals struck first with a two-run home run from Maikel Garcia to left-center field. The Guardians would respond with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and one-out double in the seventh by Bo Naylor. Brayan Rocchio attempted to give Cleveland the lead on the play, but he was out at home after a successful relay from Kyle Isbel to Bobby Witt Jr to Salvador Perez. In the tenth, a bases-loaded single scored Cleveland’s leadoff runner with one out, but Steven Cruz was able to contain the damage to just the unearned run with a strikeout and groundout. Despite picking off the Royals’ leadoff runner, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase conceded two walks, then gave up a three-run home run to Jonathan India for the Royals to walk it off.
Cleveland did not have a short memory, as they would make the evening’s starter Kris Bubic pay in the top of the first. Bubic gave up walks to the first four batters, then a two-out double to Johnathan Rodríguez. The Royals would claim two back in the second with a left-field home run by Fermin. Cleveland scored in the third off a sacrifice fly, then added two in the fourth when Steven Kwan delivered a home run to right-center field. Witt would have a two-run home run in the fifth, but the Royals would not get any closer.
Bubic took the loss in the evening game, only lasting 2.2 innings and allowing the four runs (three earned) on four walks and three hits, while recording a strikeout. Tanner Bibee went the required five innings for the win, recording eight punchouts while allowing four runs on seven hits.
The Royals (51-54) remain three games under .500, 8.5 behind Detroit in the AL Central, and 4.5 behind Boston for the third wild card spot. Noah Cameron will get the start for the series finale Sunday afternoon. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300, with first pitch at 1:10 p.m.