Soler finally got back in the home run column.
Somehow, they won that game, yet I’m still angry. It’s a weird feeling.
Second inning: Nick Dini hit a double, went to third on Humberto Arteaga’s double, and scored on Nicky Lopez’ infield single. Arteaga came around and scored on Whit Merrifield’s fielder’s choice. 2-0, Royals.
Third inning: Ryan O’Hearn hit a solo homer to right, his eighth. 3-0, Royals.
The Indians predictably tied it when catcher Kevin Plawecki hit a two-run homer early, and then came through with an RBI single in the seventh. Erik Skoglund, spot starting, only allowed two hits in his five innings, and the only run-producing hit he gave up was the two-run bomb. Scott Barlow gave up the game-tying hit. 3-3, through the end of seven.
In the eighth, though, the Royals came through with a big frame. Jorge Soler, after going a couple of weeks without one, finally smashed a home run. His two-run blast put the Royals ahead 5-3, giving him 36 on the year. He tied Steve Balboni for the second-most home runs in team history, putting him two behind Mike Moustakas’ team record of 38.
They piled it on later in the inning, as the Royals loaded the bases with two outs before getting a run-producing wild pitch and a two-run double from Lopez. It was 8-3. Cleveland hit a solo homer in the eighth. No big deal. It’s still 8-4 heading to the ninth.
Enter Ian Kennedy, whom the Royals could have traded for a living, breathing prospect, but the billionaire owner didn’t want to pay for it. He gave up a home run to Francisco Lindor, who never misses a chance to kick the Royals in the ass. Then he gets two outs and puts two people on base before Franmil Reyes absolutely tattoos a three-run, game-tying homer.
They’re all idiots. Kennedy, for being a horrendous pitcher. Yost, for using Kennedy in a non-save situation. Moore, for paying him $75 million. Glass, for blocking his GM from trading him the minute he gets an ounce of value. And most of all, the fans, for still watching a team that’s 40 games under .500.
Then Ryan O’Hearn came up and hit another home run to make it 9-8. It’s his first multi-HR game. He has nine on the season. Weird game.
Skoglund pitched well in his 2019 debut. Kennedy actually earned the win, because that statistic is hilarious. Jorge Lopez came in and got a save. He looked like a badass doing it, too!
Players’ weekend concludes with the Royals earning a victory, as they’ve played the Indians all three years MLB has done this annual event. The record is 46-85.
