KANSAS CITY ROYALS NOTES:
SUNDAY SHUTOUT: The Royals blanked the Rockies in yesterday’s 2-0 win at Kauffman Stadium to avoid the series sweep…it marked the Royals 3rd shutout win of the season and 2nd in their last 5 games…Brady Singer scattered 5 hits—all singles—over 5.2 scoreless innings with no walks and 7 strikeouts to earn his team-best 4th win…Taylor Clarke got the last out in the 6th and pitched a scoreless 7th to run his scoreless streak to a career-high 14.0 innings, and Aroldis Chapman went 1-2-3 in the 8th with 2 strikeouts…that set the stage for Scott Barlow, who recorded 3 strikeouts and stranded a pair of baserunners in the 9th to earn his 50th career save.
Michael Massey gave Kansas City a lead with his RBI single in the 5th, after which the game was delayed for 16 minutes due to rain…the Royals added an insurance run in the 8th on Maikel Garcia’s 1st career HR… he’s the 15th different player to homer for the Royals this year, tied for the 5th most in the Majors behind the Twins (17), Yankees (17), Padres (16) and Giants (16)…the Royals had 17 different players HR in 2022.
Royals pitchers matched a season high with 14 strikeouts and faced 35 batters without issuing a walk… it marked the 4th game in franchise history in which they recorded at least 14 strikeouts with no walks.
WHAT A RELIEF!: Kansas City’s bullpen combined for 3.1 scoreless innings in yesterday’s 2-0 win vs. Colorado, including a scoreless 9th inning by Scott Barlow to mark his 7th save of the season and 50th of his career… the 50 saves—all with the Royals—tie him with Mike MacDougal for the 8th most in franchise history, 4 shy of Roberto Hernández for 7th…after allowing 8 runs (7 ER) in 6.2 innings over his 1st 7 appearances this season, Barlow has held opponents scoreless in 14 of his last 15 outings since April 22, a stretch in which he owns a 1.10 ERA (2 ER in 16.1 IP) and .143 opponents’ average (8-for-56) with 5 walks (2.8 BB/9) and 25 strikeouts (13.8 K/9).
Taylor Clarke recorded 4 outs in yesterday’s win to run his career-best scoreless streak to 14.0 innings over 13 outings since May 3, a stretch in which he’s held opponents to a .149 average (7-for-47)…it’s the 3rdlongest active scoreless streak in the Majors behind Nathan Eovaldi (17.0 IP) and Hector Neris (16.2 IP).
Royals relievers lead the Majors with 266 strikeouts and rank 4th with a 10.3 K/9, both of which mark big improvements from last year, when they ranked 25th with 552 strikeouts and 21st with an 8.5 K/9.
STARTING SOMETHING: Carlos Hernández will start in the opener role tonight for the 3rd time this season…it will mark the 6th game in which the Royals will deploy an opener this year and the first time since a week ago today in St. Louis, where opener Josh Staumont and bulk pitcher Mike Mayers combined to retire the first 21 batters en route to a 7-0 win…the Royals are 2-3 in their previous 5 games in which they’ve used an opener, and those pitchers have combined for 8.0 innings with 1 unearned run allowed on 3 hits and 12 strikeouts…if you combine the totals of Royals openers and bulk pitchers, they’ve recorded a 3.03 ERA (10 ER in 29.2 IP).
Hernández has been charged with 15 runs in 28.1 innings this season, but 9 of those 15 runs (60.0%) have come in 2 appearances, in which he’s recorded 1 out…if you set aside the 9 runs and 0.1 inning from his season totals, he’s allowed just 6 runs in 28.0 innings over his other 22 appearances, good for a 1.93 ERA.
Among pitchers who have thrown at least 200 four-seam fastballs, Hernández’s average velocity of 99.1 mph ranks 3rd in the Majors behind Ryan Helsley (99.6 mph) and teammate Aroldis Chapman (99.4 mph).
Royals starting pitchers rank 26th in the Majors this season with a 5.19 ERA and their 9 wins rank 29th… but since the starter’s ERA topped out at 6.08 following their game on May 6, they have pitched to a 3.86 ERA (49 ER in 114.1 IP) in their last 25 games, which ranks 8th in the Majors during that time…even better, Royals starters have held opponents to a .230 average (99-for-430) in their last 25 games since May 7, which is tied with Texas’ starting rotation for the 4th-best mark in the Majors.
Over the last two turns in the rotation, Royals starters own a 2.89 ERA (15 ER in 46.2 IP), which ranks 3rd in the Majors behind Texas (2.60) and Houston (2.88)…Royals starters have recorded 57 strikeouts in 46.2 innings over these last 10 games for an 11.0 K/9 and 29.2 K%, both of which lead the Majors since May 23.
GONE FISHING: The Royals are fishing with their dads this week, as tonight’s series-opening game vs. the Marlins begins their first Father’s Trip since 2019…fathers of the players and staff members are joining the team on this trip that will continue with an off day in Baltimore on Thursday and a weekend series vs. the O’s.
This marks Kansas City’s fourth trip to Miami and third since loanDepot Park opened in 2012…the Royals last visited the Fish four years ago, from Sept. 6-8, 2019, when they won 2 of 3 games…the Royals have won all three of their previous series in Miami, including one in 2016 and one at Dolphin Stadium in 2008.
The Royals are 10-8 all-time vs. the Fish, including a 5-4 record since they became the Miami Marlins in 2012.
Former Royal Jorge Soler is not in tonight’s starting lineup and has not faced his former team since being traded to Atlanta at the 2021 Trade Deadline…Soler, who ranks tied for 4th in the Majors this year with 17 HR, set the Royals single-season HR record with 48 in 2019, which was matched by Salvador Perez in 2021.
INTERLEAGUE INTRIGUE: Tonight marks the Royals 24th Interleague game, which represents 40% of their 60 games this season and matches Milwaukee for the 2nd-most Interleague games in the Majors, trailing only Pittsburgh (27)…the Royals will play 46 Interleague games this season after playing 20 every year from 2013-22.
The Royals are 8-15 in Interleague play this season, but are 5-5 in their last 10 games after starting 3-10.
Tonight marks the Royals fourth consecutive series vs. a National League opponent, a streak that will run to 10 straight games through the series finale Wednesday night…when this trip continues to Baltimore this weekend, it will end a stretch in which the Royals will have played six of eight series vs. NL teams.
Salvador Perez is Kansas City’s all-time leader in Interleague play in HR (36) and RBI (111), and his 195 hits rank 2nd to Alex Gordon (210)…Salvy, who makes his offseason home in nearby Weston, Fla., has homered vs. 25 of 29 opposing teams, the only exceptions being the Marlins, Braves, Mets and Phillies.
SOUTHPAW STORY: Tonight marks the seventh time in the Royals last 11 games that they’re facing a lefthanded starting pitcher, a streak that will run to 8 games out of 12 including tomorrow night…this recent run vs. southpaw starters comes on the heels of a 15-game stretch from May 7-22 in which they faced all right-handed starters…the Royals are 5-10 vs. left-handed starters this season but have won 2 of their last 3 such games.
Maikel Garcia is 12-for-30 (.400) with 4 doubles vs. left-handed pitchers since his May 2 recall, including his 1st career HR yesterday off left hander Kyle Freeland…Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 16 hits and 5 HR vs. left handers, and is batting .302 against them with a .604 slugging percentage and .943 OPS.
Left-handed batter Michael Massey has fared well vs. left-handed pitching, batting .344 (11-for-32)…in fact, Massey’s .344 average vs. southpaws is the 3rd best among left-handed batters in the American League (min. 25 at-bats), trailing only New York’s Anthony Rizzo (.391) and Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez (.352).
JUNE 5 IN ROYALS HISTORY: On this date 34 years ago—on June 5, 1989—Bo Jackson orchestrated one of the most memorable plays in franchise history, which has since been dubbed, “The Throw”…with the Royals and Mariners tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning at Seattle’s Kingdome, Harold Reynolds stood at first base when Scott Bradley laced a 1-out double that bounced off the wall in left field…Reynolds—who was running with the pitch—was thrown out at home plate by Jackson, who fired a rocket from the warning track that sailed over the cutoff man to catcher Bob Boone, who applied the tag and extended the game…Seattle Manager Jim Lefebvre—the father of Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre—came out to argue the call, but to no avail…the Royals won the game, 5-3, in 13 innings on a pair of RBI singles by Matt Winters and Mike Macfarlane.
TONIGHT’S STARTERS: RHP CARLOS HERNÁNDEZ (0-3, 4.76)
Carlos is making his 3rd start of the season as the opener, and his 1st since May 21 at the White Sox.
Took his 3rd loss of the year—and 2nd in as many outings—Friday night vs. the Rockies after allowing 4 runs in the 8th inning after entering with a 2-1 lead…Carlos pitched to an 8.64 ERA (8 ER in 8.1 IP) over his 1st 9 appearances this year, but he bounced back and pitched to a 0.96 ERA (2 ER in 18.2 IP) from April 24-May 27…but in his last 2 appearances, he’s allowed 5 runs on 5 hits in 1.1 innings.
Despite his recent rough stretch, his 30 strikeouts since April 24 rank 3rd in the Majors (min. 15 games).
He made his 2nd appearance as the opener on May 21 vs. the White Sox and spun 2.0 scoreless frames, including a 1-2-3 1st inning with 3 strikeouts.
Carlos helped Team Venezuela reach the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where they fell to Team USA 9-7…he made a pair of appearances in the tournament, once on March 14 against Nicaragua, when he threw 2.0 scoreless frames with 4 strikeouts, and in the quarterfinal game vs. the United States on March 18, when he got 2 outs, including a strikeout of Team USA Captain Mike Trout.
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the first of three games vs. Kansas City as they continue a nine-game homestand – matching their longest ‘stand of the year (also Sept. 15-24). Are coming off a series W vs. Oakland (2-x) since dropping the first series to San Diego (1-2). After an off day on Thursday, will begin their second consecutive three-city road trip to play the White Sox (June 9-11), Mariners (June 12-14), and Nationals (June 16-18).
- Are 10-2 in Interleague games this year.
- The Marlins are 8-10 all-time vs. Kansas City. Are looking to win their first series against the Royals since 2013 (Took 2 of 3 at Kauffman Stadium).
UP THE RANKS
At 32-28 through the club’s first 60 games, tied for the third-best start to a season in club history (also, 2014 and 2008). See chart to right for the top starts in Marlins history.
- Marks the latest in a non-shortened season the Marlins have owned a winning record this late in the season since August of 2017. Is their most games over .500 since August 2016 (6 over).
HOME COOKING
The Marlins have won eight of their last 10 games at loanDepot park. Are now 18-13 at home this season, the third-most home wins in the National League in 2023.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami’s secured the sweep with a 7-5 win over Oakland on Sunday. After getting on the board early with a pair of doubles from DH Garrett Cooper (2×4, 3 RBI) and 1B Yuli Gurriel (3×4, 1 RBI), RHP Sandy Alcantara surrendered 5 runs in the third inning. Alcantara faced the minimum otherwise and finished the day with 7 strikeouts over 7.0 innings. The Marlins’ 16th comeback win featured a game-tying 3-run homer by Cooper in the fifth before Miami scored 2 on an infield single from 2B Luis Arraez (2×4, 1 RBI) and a passed ball in the bottom of the eighth inning. RHP Dylan Floro struck out 2 in a perfect ninth to secure his 6th save of the year.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The Marlins’ offense has posted a league-best .306 AVG (149×487) since May 21 at SF, collecting at least 10 hits in 9 of the 14 contests. The 149 hits also rank 1st among MLB teams and the club’s combined .834 OPS ranks 3rd behind only Texas (.860) and Los Angeles-NL (.845). In this same span, Miami also leads all MLB teams with 21 GIDP.
LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .392 batting avg. (80×204) and .445 OBP, and is t-2nd with 80 hits. Also ranks tied for 3rd with 24 multi-hit games. Has struck out just 11 times in 227 PA (.048 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.
- On Saturday became the first player in Marlins history to collect 5 hits and 5 RBI (both career highs) in a single game with his 5×5 effort that included a career-tying 3 doubles (also, Sept. 26, 2020 vs. CIN). Became the first Marlins player with 5 hits in a game since Starlin Castro on Aug. 19, 2018 at Washington.
- Became the 12th Venezuelan-born player in MLB history and the first since Arizona’s David Peralta (Apr. 22, 2021 at CIN) to collect 5+ hits and 5+ RBI in a game.
- Arraez is 1 of 7 non-U.S.-born MLB players all-time (8 occurrences) to post a batting avg. of .392 or higher through 55 games of a season (in which the player registered at least 1 AB), joining Andres Galarraga (.418, 1993), Rod Carew (.413, 1983), Larry Walker (.411, 1997), Roberto Alomar (.406, 1996), Rod Carew (.399, 1974), Rico Carty (.395, 1970), and Tony Fernandez (.394, 1999).
DO YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS?
1B Yuli Gurriel recorded his third triple of the season yesterday vs. Oakland. Becomes the oldest player in MLB (38-360) to record at least 3 triples in a single season since Ichiro Suzuki had 5 in 2016 (also for the Marlins).
- Recorded triples in back-to-back games (6th inning at COL on 5/24, 3rd inning on 5/25 at COL), becoming the oldest player (38-350) to triple in consecutive games since CLE’s Kenny Lofton on 9/27-28, 2007. Marks first time in his career he’s tripled in back-to-back games, and the first Marlin to do so since Jazz Chisholm Jr. on April 15 & 17, 2022. Were just the sixth and seventh triples of his career and his first since Aug. 14, 2020, vs. Seattle.
FINDING A GROOVE
LHP Braxton Garrett has posted a 1.66 ERA in his last 4 outings dating back to May 14 vs. CIN. Has held opponents to a .160 batting average and 4 runs in 21.2 innings with 26 strikeouts.
HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez on Saturday became the youngest pitcher in MLB to record 3 or more wins in their first 5 starts since Rick Wise from June 21 – Aug. 20, 1964 at 18 yrs at 342 days with Philadelphia. He becomes just the 11th pitcher in club history to accomplish the feat and first since Sixto Sanchez in 2020.
- Has held opponents to 3 earned runs or less and 4 hits or less in each of his first 5 career starts, the second-longest streak in Marlins history and behind only Jordan Yamamoto’s 6-game streak (June 12 – July 16, 2019). Matches the longest streak in MLB this year by Mariners’ rookie starter Bryce Miller, who did so in his first 5 career starts.
LEFTY LOVE
- LHP Andrew Nardi has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 apps. (May 2 to June 2) with a 0.98 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in this span. His 29 relief apps. are tied with Cleveland’s Emmanual Clase for most in the Majors.
- LHP Tanner Scott is tied for third among NL relievers with 39 strikeouts. Led the Marlins ‘pen with 90 strikeouts in 2022. Has held opponents scoreless in last 11 apps. (10.2 innings). Marks his longest career scoreless innings streak (previously, 9.1 IP from 8/26-9/18/20).
- LHP Steven Okert has made 20 apps. for Miami, allowing just 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits with 26 strikeouts and ranks 11th among NL relievers (min. 20 apps.) with his 2.08 ERA.
SWEEPING SENSATION
Over the weekend, the Marlins completed their fourth series sweep of the season and first ever-sweep vs. Oakland. Marked their first-ever second series sweep vs. an AL West team this year. Prior to the Angels series, had not swept a series of at least three games against an AL West opponent since July 25-27, 2014 at Houston (3-0).
- Miami swept just 4 series in 2022.
‘CATCH’ING FIRE
Since May 20, Marlins’ catchers are batting .327 (17×52) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBI, and a .883 OPS, tied with Baltimore for the second-highest AVG in MLB at the position behind Toronto (.333). From Opening Day until May 19, the Marlins ranked 29th in MLB with their catchers batting a combined .171 (25×148).
TODAY’S STARTER – #29 BRAXTON GARRETT
- Braxton Garrett, 25, will make his first career start against Kansas City and his 11th start (12 apps.) of the 2023 season tonight.
- In his most recent outing on Wednesday, May 31 vs San Diego, tossed 5.1 innings, allowing only 1 run on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk.
- In 18 career starts (19 apps.) at home, owns a 3.96 ERA (91.0 IP/40 ER) and has gone 3-7 with 106 strikeouts. In 18 starts away (19 apps.), is 3-5 with a 4.30 ERA (92.0 IP/44 ER) and 78 strikeouts.
- In 4 starts (5 apps.) at home this year, owns 6.17 ERA (23.1 IP/16 ER). In 6 starts away, owns a 2.70 ERA (30.0 IP /9 ER).
- Has allowed 3 runs or less in 8 of 11 starts this season.
- Career, RHB vs. Garrett: .286 AVG (156×546), .350 OBP, .826 OPS. LHB vs. Garrett: .230 AVG (38×165), .314 OBP, .617 OPS. Has allowed only 2 HR in 165 AB against lefties.
- Made 17 starts at the Major League level in 2022 after entering the year as the Marlins No. 11 prospect. Went 3-7 with a 3.58 ERA (88.0 IP/35 ER) with 24 walks, 90 strikeouts, and 9 home runs allowed.
- Has pitched in 6 day games, posting a 2.33 ERA with a .264 avg. against in those outings. In 2 night games, opponents are hitting .429 against and he has a 13.97 ERA and 0-2 record.
