Cole Ragans powered through a nagging left hamstring cramp to deliver a stellar 7 2/3 innings of work, earning his first win of the season as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Sunday.
Despite the discomfort, which intensified late in his outing, the 27-year-old left-hander showcased the dominant form that saw him finish fourth in last year’s American League Cy Young Award voting. Ragans struck out an impressive 10 batters and issued no walks, while allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits.
Ragans felt the hamstring issue throughout the contest but the discomfort became more pronounced after he induced a pop out from Austin Hedges for the second out in the eighth inning. Manager Matt Quatraro opted to remove him at that point, bringing in Lucas Erceg who secured the final out of the frame. Carlos Estévez then entered in the ninth, allowing a leadoff single before striking out the next three batters to earn his fifth save in six opportunities.
The Royals are optimistic that Ragans will be able to make his next scheduled start, which is likely to be Friday in Detroit.
Ragans’ outing was historically significant as he threw 89 pitches and became only the second pitcher in Royals franchise history to record 10 or more strikeouts in three consecutive starts, joining Kevin Appier who achieved the feat in 1996.
Cleveland initially took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Daniel Schneemann hit an RBI double and subsequently scored on a throwing error by Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. However, Ragans then settled in, retiring nine consecutive batters and 17 of his final 18 opponents.
The Kansas City offense rallied to support their injured ace. Salvador Perez ignited the comeback with a two-run home run in the fourth inning, tying the game. In the fifth, Maikel Garcia delivered a crucial two-run double, giving the Royals the lead they would not relinquish.
The Kansas City Royals are heading to the Bronx for a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, beginning tonight.
Right-hander Seth Lugo (1-1, 3.24 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Royals in the series opener. He will be opposed by Yankees right-hander Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.71 ERA).
Fans can catch all the action on the radio. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on SuperStar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM Central Time.
