Michael Massey and Isaac Collins each had a home run as the Kansas City Royals overcame the threat of showers and a brief deficit to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, May 5.
Massey’s two-run blast in the bottom of the fourth answered a three-run home run that Rhys Hoskins delivered in the top of the frame, plating Cleveland’s only runs of the game. The Massey home run put the Royals back on top 4-3. Collins’ solo shot in the sixth inning was one of the three hits he would have to lead the Royals offense to their fifth straight victory. He was a triple shy of the cycle, as he only had three at-bats. Salvador Perez had a one-out single in the first that scored two runs.
Stephen Kolek pitched six innings in the win, allowing the three-run home run as well as three more hits, while striking out three in his first start of the year. Kolek got the start in place of Noah Cameron, who experienced lower back tightness during his last start and was a scratch Tuesday morning, but is expected to return to the rotation this weekend. Meanwhile, Lucas Erceg allowed a two-out walk in the ninth but was able to get the final out for his tenth save of the year. Gavin Williams took the loss for Cleveland, allowing the Royals’ five runs, eight hits and two walks, but striking out seven. Reliever Colin Holderman kept Cleveland in the game by recording another three strikeouts in his two-inning appearance.
The Royals now sit just a half-game behind Cleveland and Detroit for the AL Central lead, with the White Sox also a half-game back and Minnesota a game-and-a-half behind in a division that has no one over .500. The Royals will look to claim a share of the division lead when game three of the series is Wednesday evening. Cole Ragans will get the start for KC while Joey Cantillo takes the mound for Cleveland. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. on KMMO-FM 102.9, with first pitch around 6:40 p.m.
Elsewhere, the Saint Louis Cardinals postponed Tuesday night’s game against Milwaukee because of the threat of inclement weather. The two teams have rescheduled the game for the afternoon of July 7 in a day/night doubleheader. The Cardinals and Brewers will conclude the current series Wednesday afternoon, when Andre Pallante goes up against Brandon Sproat. First pitch from Busch Stadium is at 12:15 p.m.