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This offseason, Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo focused on improving his fastball .<\/p>\n
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The goal was to command it early in counts and challenge hitters. If successful, Lugo felt it would keep teams from sitting on his off-speed pitches.<\/p>\n
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As a result, he could create a little balance.<\/p>\n
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On Sunday, Lugo put his reworked approach to good use. He tossed 6 1\/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves in the Royals\u2019 4-1 victory at Truist Park.<\/p>\n
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Lugo had a 23% fastball usage his first time through the Braves\u2019 lineup. The fastball registered a 57% strike rate and generated four swings and four called strikes \u2014 per Statcast.<\/p>\n
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The Braves couldn\u2019t capitalize . Lugo limited the club to five hits in an efficient outing.<\/p>\n
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The lone trouble came in the fifth inning. The Braves had runners on first and third with two outs. Lugo surrendered singles to Ozzie Albies and Dominic Smith but retired Jorge Mateo to end the frame.<\/p>\n
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Lugo earned his first win and quality start of 2026 . The Royals also provided him substantial run support.<\/p>\n
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In the third inning, Bobby Witt Jr. drove home Nick Loftin, who reached on a fielder\u2019s choice two batters earlier.<\/p>\n
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Rookie catcher Carter Jensen extended the lead. He belted a solo homer off Braves starter Grant Holmes in the fourth inning. Jensen added a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Witt scored from third .<\/p>\n
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The Royals did damage with two outs. Both Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino picked up RBIs with runners in scoring position.<\/p>\n
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The Braves scored a late run in the eighth . Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hit a solo homer off John Schreiber to spoil the shutout.<\/p>\n
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However, the four runs helped KC salvage the three-game series. After being outscored 12-2<\/a> prior to Sunday, the Royals\u2019 offense came through in clutch moments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And the victory continued a trend of strong play in series finales. The Royals were 33-19 in such situations last year, third-best in the majors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What\u2019s ahead:<\/b> The Royals return to Kansas City ahead of their home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Left-hander Kris Bubic will draw the start. First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. Central.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n