SEATTLE (AP) – Vinnie Pasquantino delivered a crucial two-run single in the seventh inning, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. The win marked a significant turnaround for the Royals, who had dropped their previous three contests.
Bobby Witt Jr. contributed to the scoring effort, tying the game 1-1 with a single to center field in the third inning. He then showcased agility, stealing second base with two outs to place runners on scoring position. Pasquantino followed with the game-winning single, driving in Witt and fellow runner José Rondón.
Royals’ starting pitcher Seth Lugo (6-5) posted a strong outing, limiting the Mariners to just one run across six and one-third innings. He walked two batters and recorded seven strikeouts.
The Mariners’ offense was spearheaded by Jorge Polanco, who homered in the fourth inning, putting Seattle ahead 1-0. Polanco also added two doubles throughout the game. Logan Evans, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, made his first big league start and pitched five and two-thirds innings without allowing a run, despite walking one and striking out three.
However, the Mariners’ bullpen faltered, with Carlos Vargas giving up the crucial run-scoring hits to Witt and Pasquantino in the seventh.
Key Moment: The Royals capitalized on consecutive walks by Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India against Seth Legumina to begin the seventh, setting the stage for Witt and Pasquantino’s game-winning hit.
Key Stat: Bobby Witt Jr. has now hit safely in his last 23 road games, breaking Hal McRae’s 42-year-old Kansas City record.
Up Next: The Royals will open a three-game series at Arizona against the Diamondbacks on Friday night. Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA) faces Pirates LHP Bailey Falter (7-4, 2.93).
___AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB
Fuente: https://sports.yahoo.com/article/pasquantino-hits-two-run-single-053458331.html
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