By MATT PIKE
Bo Naylor hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning and Kyle Manzardo a two-run double that opened the scoring in the first, starting a three run inning that would be to much to overcome, leading the Cleveland Guardians over the Kansas City Royals 8-5 for a series split at Kauffman Stadium.
The Guardians greeted Royals starter Seth Lugo with five hits in a three-run first inning, led off by Manzardo’s double to the wall in right-center that drove in Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. Manzardo scored one batter later as Daniel Schneemann singled into right field ending the scoring in the inning. By the third inning, Cleveland led 4-0 as Petey Halpin got his first career RBI with a single that brought home Schneemann.
Kansas City finally got on the board in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Maikel Garcia, driving in Michael Massey, but in the sixth inning Halpin walked, stole second and scored on Carter Jensen’s passed ball, extending the Guardians lead to 5-1. In the bottom half of the sixth, Nick Loftin cut into the lead with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Jensen, to cut the Cleveland lead to three.
Naylor’s three run home run into the right-field bullpen in the seventh inning, scoring Travis Bazzana and Brayan Rocchio, cemented the victory. In the bottom half of the inning the Royals did attempt to fight back, trailing 8-2, as Bobby Witt Jr and Vinnie Pasquantino hit back-to-back home runs. In the eighth inning, Kansas CIty added it's final run on a sacrifice fly by Lane Thomas, bringing home Isaac Collins to cut the lead to three. The Royals did have runners on the corners with Witt Jr at first and Loftin at third, but Pasuantino struck out to end the inning.
The Royals were retired in order in the ninth as Cade Smith struck out two to earn his 10th save. Lugo fell to 1-2 on the season, taking the loss, pitching four innings and giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking four. At the plate, Witt Jr. was 4-for-4 with the home run and a walk with one RBI. Garcia was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBi, while Pasquantino was 1-for-5 with the home run and an RBI.
Next, Kansas City stays at Kauffman Stadium to host the Detroit Tigers. Kris Bubic (3-1, 3.32 ERA, 42K's) starts for the Royals against Keider Montero (2-2, 3.48 ERA, 25K's) for the Tigers. First pitch is at 6:40pm with pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.