The Royals win their first home series of the year ending with a squeeze bunt by backup catcher Freddie Fermin.
Kansas City finished the 10-game home series with a 500 record. The offense continues to lead this team. Over the last 10 games, Kansas City has averaged almost seven runs per game. The offense, through the month of May, is one of the best in all of baseball. The Royals are hitting the long ball and are stealing bases.
Kansas City’s offense once again jump on the White Sox early. While the five-game streak of scoring in the first inning would come to an end. Micheal Massy would drive in the first run of the game in the second inning. That is the first time in his career he has hit home runs in back-to-back games.
White Sox would respond in the third inning to tie the game at one. However, the Royals’ offense would strike again in the fourth inning. With runners on first and second Miakel Garcia would work a seven-pitch at bat. Finally, he got a pitch he could hit, an inside cutter he shot down the left field line for a double. With some aggressive base running by Kansas City, the Royals drove in two runs.
Both offenses went cold up until the top of the eighth inning when Aroldis Chapman gave up two runs to tie the game at three.
It was time for Kansas City to respond. Nick Pratto started the inning with a six-pitch at-bat ending with a walk. Matt Duffy had a five-pitch at-bat that ended with a line drive single to right field. It put runners on the corners. Kansas City then put caught the White Sox on their heels with a bunt squeeze off the bat of Fermin. Fermin tapped the ball and the pitcher could not get to it fast enough allowing Pratto to come in to score.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said defending a bunt in that situation is nearly impossible.
“It’s a really hard play if at all possible to defend a safety squeeze unless you really sell out. And then you give up a free base,” Quatraro said. “But to get that bunt down against him is really really impressive.”
Fermin is the second player in franchise history to end the game with a bunt single and an RBI. Frank White was the last player to accomplish that.
Brady Singer had a good day. He was able to have the team’s first quality start since Singer did it against the Diamondbacks. He went six innings giving up one run. He kept the bases mostly clear being charged with only two walks and five runs. Singer was able to command all of his pitches on the day.
Manager Quatraro also said he felt good about seeing Singer have a bounce back game and he pitched in some big innings during the win.
The Royals head on the road to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in the first series of a three-team road trip. The first pitch is at 7:10.
