MJ Melendez has a day, Bobby blast leads to Royals 4-3 win over Guardians
The Royals overcome a lackluster start from Cole Ragans
MJ Melendez had a big three-run home run and a great catch, Salvy went 3-for-3, and Bobby Witt Jr. had a late-game blast to give the Royals a 4-3 win over the Guardians in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Monday.
Cole Ragans was off from the start, although he wasn’t helped at all by an inconsistent strike zone. He worked around two baserunners in the first, but gave up a pair of runs in the second, including a bases-loaded walk to Steven Kwan. MJ Melendez would put the Royals on top in the fourth inning with a three-run home run off Guardians pitcher Eli Morgan that struck the fence above the wall, temporarily causing confusion whether or not he had hit one out. After review, umpires confirmed Melendez had hit his 17th home run of the year.
One of the more hesitant home run trots we've ever seen, but this MJ Melendez dinger gives the #Royals the lead anyway.
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) August 26, 2024
: Bally Sports | : Bally Sports app pic.twitter.com/h0HiKRwr8f
Ragans continued to labor however, and after he walked Lane Thomas to begin the fifth, he signalled for the trainer. He exited the game after 94 pitches and just four innings with two runs allowed, four walks, and four strikeouts. The Royals later he said he exited with left hamstring and calf cramps.
James McArthur worked around trouble in the fifth, but was helped by a huge catch by MJ Melendez.
Have yourself a day, MJ Melendez!!! #Royals pic.twitter.com/fzhgvSwzwg
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) August 26, 2024
Kris Bubic worked around trouble in the sixth, but Jose Ramirez led off the seventh with a double. After advancing to third on a fly out to right, he scored on a chopper that got just past Vinnie Pasquantino to tie the game 3-3.
Rex Hudler has the power of prognostication, by calling Bobby Witt’s 27th home run of the season, a fraction of a second before he hit it.
Hunter Gaddis had only given up three homers this season. Make that four, thanks to the clutch hitting of Bobby Witt Jr. #Royals pic.twitter.com/JzyZIWwpuk
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) August 26, 2024
John Schreiber looked like the John Schreiber from the beginning of the season, giving the Royals 1 2⁄3 scoreless innings. Lucas Erceg pitched a scoreless ninth - aided by a terrific catch by Maikel Garcia - to pick up his eighth save.
The Royals improve to 73-58 and are just two games back of first. They will take on the Guardians again this evening at 5:40 CT with Alec Marsh scheduled to face lefty Logan Allen.