The Kansas City Royals came out swinging in an attempt to snap their six-game losing streak Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
In the first inning, Royals outfielder Lane Thomas belted a two-out grand slam off Reds right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson. He turned around a 95.7 mph fastball that was elevated atop the strike zone.
Thomas set the tempo. And his teammates followed en route to a 9-2 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
The Royals avoided Reds young ace Chase Burns in the game. Prior to first pitch, Burns was scratched due to illness. He was slated to start and Reds manager Terry Francona opted for a bullpen game.
KC took full advantage. The club recorded 13 hits, including three home runs, against the Reds’ relief staff.
In the fifth inning, Jac Caglianone hit a solo homer off left-hander Brandon Leibrandt. He got atop an 83.5 mph slider and sent it 419 feet over the center-field wall.
And later, Michael Massey hit his second home run in consecutive days. Since April 21, Massey is hitting .270 with 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles, five homers) and 14 RBIs.
The club has scored six or more runs 13 times this season. The offense aided Royals right-hander Luinder Avila in his second career start.
Avila allowed a run and two hits in five innings. He threw 45 of 86 pitches for strikes while relying on two different fastballs and a trio of off-speed pitches.
Despite four walks, Avila was able to secure his first victory this season. In the sixth inning, the Royals turned to their bullpen to close out the game. KC pitchers John Schreiber, Alex Lange, Mason Black and Eli Morgan allowed an additional run in relief.
The Royals improved to 23-37. It’s their eighth road victory after entering play with the second-worst mark in the majors.
Thomas finished 3-for-5. He is hitting .299 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 39 career games against the Reds.
Cincinnati dropped to 30-29. The Reds recorded four hits and finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. JJ Bleday provided the lone offense with his 10th home run in the first inning.
What’s next: Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.61 ERA) will start Tuesday night opposite Reds lefty Andrew Abbott (4-3, 3.88). First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. Central from the Great American Ball Park.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kansascity.com ’
