(Kansas City) Bobby Witt Jr. gave his team the lead with a two-run double in the fifth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Chris Stratton (2-1) minimized the damage when he inherited the bases loaded by Michael Wacha in the fifth inning. He also took care of the sixth inning before handing over to John Schreiber, in seventh, and James McArthur, in eighth.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro decided to send McArthur back to the mound in the ninth inning and the Blue Jays threatened.
Cavan Biggio appeared to lead off the inning hitting a single, but after being ruled safe, video replay confirmed he was out. George Springer hit a single and went to second base following a grounder from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. McArthur, however, retired Bo Bichette to record his fifth save of the season.
“You don’t get a lot of chances with extra outs, but we were able to make them pay,” Wacha said. Bobby did the work for us, as he so often does, and our backup closed the door. »
Kevin Gausman (0-3) allowed three runs, none earned, seven hits and one walk in six and two-thirds innings for Toronto.
“Gausman led the league in strikeouts last year and he only had one or two in six-plus innings today,” Quatraro noted. It’s just putting the ball in play. Not every contact is going to be solid, but you have to create something. »
Wacha allowed two runs, eight hits and three walks in four and a third innings of work. He also hit Davis Schneider in the fifth inning to fill the runs.
After Wacha left the game in the fifth inning, Alejandro Kirk hit a sacrifice fly to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.
The Royals began their comeback at the bottom of the fifth inning, following an error. Guerrero failed to catch a throw that would have provided the final out for the visitors, allowing Michael Massey to come in and score.
” What can I say ? I missed the ball, that’s all,” Guerrero said.
Maikel Garcia followed with a base hit while Witt hit a double that put the Royals up 3-2.
“I’m just trying to control the moment. Master what I can master,” Witt explained.
The Kansas City team almost added to its lead during the seventh inning, when Garcia drew a walk after two outs and Witt singled. Vinnie Pasquantino hit a long foul ball to Nate Pearson, who then rallied to strike out.
In the end, the Royals didn’t need any more points.
“It was a one-point gap so there was no room for maneuver,” insisted Quatraro. Our relief gave no points in four and two thirds innings against a good team. We cannot put enough emphasis on this. »