Players Weekend returns to MLB for the first time since 2019. Players are allowed to use custom designed bats, cleats and other equipment, as well as a custom hat for the weekend. The Kansas City Royals visit Cincinnati for the first time since 2020. The Royals and Reds are in 2 different situations going into this series. The Reds are fighting to stay alive in the Wild Card chase, as the Royals are 3 games ahead of Boston for the final AL Wild Card spot.
Game 1:
Michael Lorenzen returns to Cincinnati to pitch for the Royals as he faces off against Nick Martinez. After 3 relatively quiet innings, Bobby Witt Jr would hit his 25th home run of the season off Martinez, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead. The Royals would go on to score 2 more runs in the 6th, the Reds offense has been quiet. In the 6th, Tyler Stephenson would put the Reds on the board with a RBI double that would score Jonathan India. Royals lead 3-1.
Going into the 9th, David Bell would opt to use Fernando Cruz for a 2nd inning following a scoreless 8th. That decision would backfire. Adam Frazier would single, Freddy Fermin would hit a RBI double, scoring the pinch runner Blanco. The Reds would intentionally walk Bobby Witt Jr and Vinnie Pasquantino would promptly crush a 3 run home run, Royals lead 7-1. The Reds would go on to lose this game 7-1.
Nick Martinez would pitch 6 innings, allow 8 hits, allow 3 runs and strike out 4. David Bell probably should have used another bullpen arm in the 9th, but the Reds offense is the most at fault for the loss Friday. Fernando Cruz hit a career high in appearances on Friday night and has been struggling lately.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Tyler Stephenson: 2-4 RBI 2B
Jonathan India: 1-2 2BB, R
Winning Pitcher: Michael Lorenzen (6-6 3.68 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Nick Martinez (6-6 3.25 ERA)
Saturday Starters
Nick Lodolo
Michael Wacha
Game 2:
The Reds placed RHP Hunter Greene on the 15 day IL for elbow soreness prior to Saturday’s game. After a Bobby Witt Jr double puts runners on 2nd and 3rd, Salvador Perez would lift a sac fly to left, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead. Dairon Blanco would hit a 2 run home run off Lodolo to extend the Royals lead to 3-0 in the 2nd. Lodolo would struggle more in the 3rd, after working the bases loaded, Freddy Fermin would work a walk for a RBI. Next batter, Paul DeJong would rip a single into left scoring 1, bases remain loaded. Lodolo would not make it out of the 3rd inning. Buck Farmer would relieve Lodolo and Diaron Blanco would hit his 2nd home run of the game, this time a grand slam, Royals lead 9-0. Later in the inning, Vinnie Pasquantino would hit an RBI single, scoring Bobby Witt Jr from 1st to give the Royals a 10-0 lead. The Royals would score 7 runs in the 3rd inning. In the 4th, Diaron Blanco keeps his hot bat going, he would hit a RBI single extending the Royals demolition of Cincinnati, 11-0. Later in the 4th, Maikel Garcia lined a sac fly to left, Royals lead 12-0 after 4. The Royals would get 1 more run in the 5th on a Elly De La Cruz error, 13-0. The Reds would finally get 1 on the board in the 7th, Jeimer Candelario would hit his 20th home run of the season, Reds trail 13-1. That would be all the Reds could muster in this one, Royals would go on to win in dominating fashion, 13-1.
Nick Lodolo has really struggled since his blister issue in June. Lodolo would go just 2.1 innings allowing 8 runs on 8 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Jeimer Candelario: 2-4 HR(20) RBI
Ty France: 2-3
Winning Pitcher: Michael Wacha (10-6 3.33 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Nick Lodolo (9-5 4.55 ERA)
Sunday Starters
Andrew Abbott
Brady Singer
Game 3:
The Reds claimed utility player Ahmed Rosario from the Dodgers on Sunday, a corresponding move has not been announced yet.
After 2 scoreless, the Royals would get to Abbott. With 2 runners on, Vinne Pasquantino would hit a RBI single, then Salvador Perez would lift a sac fly to center. Royals lead 2-0 after 3. In the 5th, Diaron Blanco would hit another home run, his 3rd of the series. Vinnie Pasquantino would later get an RBI on a sac fly, Royals lead 4-0. In the 7th, the Royals thought they had another home run from Bobby Witt Jr, but TJ Friedl would make a spectacular defensive play robbing Witt of his 26th home run this season.
The Reds would work the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th, Jonathan India would earn an RBI on a bases loaded walk, Royals lead 4-1 and the Reds have life. Spencer Steer would strikeout with the bases loaded, ending the Reds threat. The Royals would add on in the 9th, scoring 4 more. Royals go on to win after Jonathan India hit a weak pop out to the 2nd baseman, 8-1.
The Reds were outscored 28-3 in the series. Reds starters gave up 15 earned runs in the series.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Santiago Espinal: 3-4 R
Jonathan India 1-3 BB, RBI
Justin Wilson: 1IP 2K
Winning Pitcher: Brady Singer (9-8 3.18 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Andrew Abbott (10-10 3.72 ERA)
Cincinnati travels north of the border on Monday, taking on the Toronto Blue Jays. The Reds have yet to announce a starter, but Toronto’s Kevin Gausman will get the start Monday. Guasman has a 2.75 ERA in his last 3 starts. Will Joey Votto get a call up to take on his former team in Toronto? Votto has 15 strikeouts in 10 AAA games. It would be a fun story and I’m sure Reds fans and Blue Jays fans would love to see the future Hall of Famer play the team he matured on in his home town.
Follow me on 𝕏 for my thoughts on the Cincinnati Reds and Reds MiLB.
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