Salvador Perez delivered a two-run home run during the opening inning, while Cole Ragans effectively contained Toronto’s offense until the rain arrived. Consequently, the Kansas City Royals emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays on Thursday. The game was ultimately called off after five innings due to a prolonged weather delay.
Ragans (1-2) exhibited a solid performance on the mound, allowing only one run from Toronto on three hits and three walks. He also managed to strike out four opposing batters. On the other hand, JosĆ© Berrios (4-1) saw his impressive streak of 22 1/3 scoreless innings come to an end. Perez capitalized on Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-out walk by launching the first pitch he encountered into the left-field bullpen, granting the Royals an early lead in the first inning.
As the fifth inning concluded and a light drizzle transformed into a steady downpour, umpire chief Chris Guccione decided to halt the game and cover the infield with a tarp. Blue Jays manager John Schneider voiced his disagreement, advocating for another opportunity to equalize or seize the lead. Eventually, Guccione relented and instructed the grounds crew to remove the tarp and attempt to prepare the field for further play. However, after approximately 10 minutes, Guccione summoned the tarp once again. The field remained covered for approximately 2 hours, and following the rain’s cessation, the grounds crew dedicated over an hour to its maintenance. Subsequently, the game was called off after a delay lasting 3 hours and 38 minutes.
Throughout the game, Ragans encountered numerous challenges, particularly in the early stages. In the second inning, he successfully navigated a situation with a runner on third base and first base. He achieved this by inducing a flyout from Alejandro Kirk. In the fourth inning, the Blue Jays managed to reduce the Royals’ lead by capitalizing on Davis Schneider’s walk and subsequent hits by Justin Turner and Ernie Clement. However, Daulton Varsho and Kirk were unable to bring home the tying run. The Blue Jays made one final attempt in the fifth inning, but Kyle Isbel, the Royals’ center fielder, made an exceptional over-the-shoulder catch to deny Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s drive to the warning track. Isbel also displayed his speed by chasing down George Springer’s blooper. Ultimately, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drew a walk, but Bo Bichette’s foul pop-up concluded the Blue Jays chances at victory.
Kansas City will be taking on the Tigers in Detroit today at noon, kicking off a 3-game series. The first pitch at Comerica Park is scheduled for 12:10 PM, with Seth Lugo (3-1, 2.03 ERA) starting for Kansas City against Reese Olson (0-3, 3.80 ERA). Unfortunately, the game will not be aired on Classic Hits KQNK.
