Apr.13, 2019

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The Kansas City Royals found a way to take a lead in eight of their first nine games of the season but on Tuesday, Apr. 9 they failed to do that against the Seattle Mariners, who came to KC with the best record in Major League Baseball. Tuesday night was the second game of a four game set against Seattle and the Royals fell behind quickly when Jay Bruce hit his American League leading seventh home run of the season in the top of the first inning. The Royals tied the game twice, once at one, then again at two before falling 6-3. The highlight of the evening for the Royals was the major league debut of left-hander Richard Lovelady who came on in the eigth inning and promptly set the Mariners down in order.

Wednesday night the Royals took the field trying to end an eight-game losing streak and offered fans highlights such as a long home run by OF Jorge Soler. The Royals were behind 5-4 when another highlight was made by the home team. Whit Merrifield enjoying a 30-game hitting streak broke the franchise record by Hall of Famer George Brett with a bunt single to tie the game at five. A solo homerun by the Mariners in the ninth proved to be the difference as the Royals lost a ninth game in a row this time 6-5.

Following the four-game series with Seattle things won’t get easier for the Royals as they play host this weekend to the Cleveland Indians. The Indians, the defending AL Central Division Champions, are just a half game out of first place as of this writing and two games above .500. The three-game series begins on Friday with Royals set to go with opening day starter Brad Keller on the mound. Saturday night’s game set for a 6:15 start offers fans a pair of fun promotions. Fans attending the game can get a Royals reusable bag or a Sporting KC beanie on the first ever Sporting KC night at the K. Sunday’s game has a first pitch time of 1:15 with the Royals set with Jakob Junis to start the game. Following the weekend set with the division rival Indians the seven-game home stand is over for the Royals. On Monday the Royals head out on a road trip starting in Chicago.

Share