The Royals started their first road trip of 2023 in San Francisco and played their first complete game of the year.
The win started with Brad Keller having a solid outing. Keller went five and two thirds innings and only gave up one run. He was able to effectively use his curveball against a team that has a lot of power. Instead of San Francisco hitting the long ball, it would be the Royals rounding the bases with Kansas City hitting two long balls.
The first run scored in the game came in the top of the second inning. After a line out from Vinnie Pasquantino Kyle Isbel singled to left field. Hunter Dozier singled Isbel over to third and Nicky Lopez would hit the third single of the inning to drive in Isbel.
San Francisco responded in the bottom of the second with a couple of singles that tied the game at one.
Kansas City regained the lead when Pasquantino launched a ball 366 feet. It was an impressive at bat with Alex Cobb being forced to throw eight pitches. The home run ball was a splitter that Cobb left over the heart of the plate and was pulled down the right field line.
Pasquantino continues to be one of the best all around hitters the Royals have. He had two hits in his three at bats and a walk. Even in his outs he continues to hit the ball hard. In his one out today he lined a ball out to the warning track,
The Royals added to their lead in the top of the eighth inning when Salvador Perez smashed a four-seam fastball 426 feet to left field. That is not only Perez’s first home run but also his first RBI of the season. The Royals did not need the insurance run with Scott Barlow coming into pitch in the ninth inning. He earned his first save of the season.
The bullpen had a great day, shutting out the Giants. Ryan Yarbrough came in to get the final out of the sixth inning and pitched the entire seventh inning. In a high leverage situation, only being up by two runs, the Royals sent in Aroldis Chapman for the eighth inning and he showed off the power of his fastball. Chapman hit 103 miles per hour on his fastball. Chapman continues to impress with the rehabilitation of his fastball.
In the ninth Barlow allowed a lead-off triple to Joc Pederson. After that seven pitch at bat Barlow struck out the next batter and got an out off of a great defensive play by Matt Duffy. Thairo Estrada smoked a slider. In a quick diving motion Duffy sagged a ball to prevent the run coming into score and allowing the tying run to reach second base. Barlow struck the next batter out looking and the Royals left the ballpark with the win.
Tomorrow Brady Singer gets his second start of the year. First pitch is at 3:05.
