Hard-hitting Royals pursue sweep of Astros.
The Kansas City Royals hope to keep their bats hot as they shoot for a three-game series sweep against the visiting Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon. The Royals’ seven-run outburst on Wednesday evening, coupled with an eight-run inning against the Chicago White Sox on April 4, gives Kansas City multiple seven-plus-run frames in April for the first time since 2000. Vinnie Pasquantino led the charge on Wednesday, delivering a career-best five RBIs on three hits as
Kansas City beat Houston 11-2 for its sixth consecutive victory. Pasquantino doubled and hit his first home run in the contest after starting the year batting .108 with no-extra base hits or RBIs through his first 10 games. “I try not to consider slumps, or highs and lows,” Pasquantino said. “I try to consider you’re riding this roller coaster and trying to keep it as much of a kiddie ride as you can so it’s just flat. Obviously the first week and a half wasn’t what I wanted, statistically, but
tonight felt good.” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said, “Nice relief for him. It’s so early in the year and so few plate appearances that that’ll move the needle for him, numbers-wise, and it’ll feel better. Above and beyond, he used the whole field. He got a hit off a lefty, took a walk, showed some power, and five RBIs.” Kansas City bats have been lively early in games, outscoring opponents 28-6 over the first three innings of games. Overall, the Royals have outscored opponents 35-10 during
their six-game surge, the longest active winning streak in the majors. Royals right-hander Brady Singer (1-0, 0.68 ERA) is set to oppose Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (0-1, 6.43) in the series finale on Thursday. Singer has allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out 14 over 13 1/3 innings to start the season. He beat the Minnesota Twins with seven scoreless innings on March 31, then got a no-decision in Kansas City’s 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. In three career starts against the Astros, Singer is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA.
