Cactus League freight train rolls on, Royals stay undefeated with 15-6 romp

Too early to talk about magic numbers?

The Royals continued to show their dominance over the Cactus League by remaining undefeated in a 15-6 rout over the Rangers on Tuesday. The Royals had 22 hits on the day, 17 of them singles, with 7 walks.

The Royals played most of their starters against Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker, a top 100 prospect and candidate to win Rookie of the Year. But he plunked Jonathan India to begin the game, and Bobby Witt Jr. singled to set up Vinnie Pasquantino, who drove them both home with a double. Nick Pratto doubled later in the inning to score Vinnie and Michael Massey to give the Royals a four-spot in the opening frame.

The Rangers pulled Rocker for reliever Daniel Robert, but Tyler Tolbert greeted him rudely with a leadoff home run in the second. The Royals would sent nine men to the plate, adding three more runs to make it 7-0.

Hey, Michael Massey played left field.

The Rangers would get to Royals starter Seth Lugo in the third with a three-run home run to Leody Taveras. He would exit after just two frames, having given up four hits, with two strikeouts and no walks. The Royals sent nine men to the plate again in the fourth, scoring four more runs, including a three-run home run by catcher Luke Maile.

Hunter Harvey, Carlos Hernandez, and Angel Zerpa each pitched scoreless frames, and Kansas City-native Ben Kudrna worked a scoreless eighth and ninth. Outfielder Tyler Gentry was shaken up a bit sliding for a ball but stayed in the game.

First baseman Jac Caglianone singled twice, driving in a run. Vinnie Pasquantino, Jonathan India, Michael Massey, Maikel Garcia, Kyle Isbel, Jordan Groshans and Luke Maile also enjoyed a two-hit day. Javier Vaz worked in walk and a single in three plate appearances.

The Royals host the Colorado Rockies tomorrow at 2:05, which you can listen to on 1660 AM The Bet in Kansas City.