The Kansas City Royals secured a 10-3 victory over the AL-leading Cleveland Guardians on Friday night, with Salvador Perez, Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Isbel, and Vinnie Pasquantino all contributing home runs to the win. Perez hit his 13th homer of the season in the second inning, while Renfroe followed with his eighth homer of the season, putting the Royals ahead. Pasquantino added a two-run shot in the eighth inning, extending the Kansas City lead to 10-3. The trio went a combined 6 for 12 with six RBIs and five runs scored.
Guardians starter Triston McKenzie (3-5) lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and three walks. Kyle Isbel hit his sixth homer of the season in the fourth inning, and Freddy Fermin added an RBI in the fifth. JosĂ© RamĂrez hit his 22nd homer of the season, a 436-foot blast in the first inning that gave Cleveland the early lead. Alec Marsh (6-5) gave up the homer to RamĂrez and worked six innings, giving up four hits. He struck out five and walked two.
Over the last 10 games, Royals starting pitchers have a combined 1.98 ERA and have thrown six quality starts. Kansas City has won four of its last five games, while Cleveland dropped its third straight.
The third game of the four-game series between Kansas City and Cleveland is set to take place this afternoon at 3:10 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium. Tune in to Classic Hits KQNK for pregame coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. Cole Ragans (5-5, 3.03 ERA) will be the starting pitcher for KC, facing off against Tanner Bibee (6-2, 3.50 ERA) for Cleveland.
