CINCINNATI (AP) – The Kansas City Royals scored three runs in the top of the ninth to secure the game’s biggest inning and ultimately defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Wednesday, June 3.
With the score tied at two in the top of the ninth, Royals second baseman Michael Massey lined a single into right center field to drive in pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert and put Kansas City ahead for good.
The boys in blue kept up with the Reds in large part because of the effort set forth by right-handed starter Stephen Kolek, who delivered Kansas City’s 32nd quality start of the season – ranking second in the MLB in that realm.
Kolek allowed just two runs on six hits across seven innings of work. He walked only two and totaled eight strikeouts, seven of which he racked up within his first three innings of work.
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino opened the scoring with a two-run blast he smashed over the right field wall on a fastball elevated above the zone.
Third baseman Nick Lofton drove in the only other Kansas City runs with a two-run homer to left center for some added insurance in the ninth.
The lone Reds runs came off a two-run long ball off the bat of center fielder Blake Dunn in the fifth inning.
Dunn represented the tying run when he came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but, in his first save opportunity as a Royal, right-handed reliever Alex Lange got him to fly out to center to finish off a scoreless frame and end the game.
Right fielder Jac Caglianone notched two hits on the evening, including a single he yanked into right field to galvanize Kansas City’s three-run ninth.
Massey and Pasquantino also recorded two-hit performances, as the Royals outhit the Reds 9-8.
Lefty reliever Daniel Lynch earned the win with a scoreless eighth, advancing his unblemished record to 2-0.
In the ninth inning, Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. stole second for his 20th swipe of the year – tying him for third in the MLB in that category.
Witt and the Royals escape Ohio with their first road series victory since the inaugural week of May when they swept the Seattle Mariners on the first three days of the month.
The Royals continue their road trip today, as they commence a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins. Kansas City righty Seth Lugo and Minnesota righty Andrew Morris will take the mound.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m.
