In today’s game thread, I alluded to the fact that Chris Stratton pitches worse when he has had more rest. I suggested the Royals pitch him tonight to prevent that from becoming a problem. Unfortunately, it turns out that two days’ rest was already too many for the Royals’ reliever who ended up giving up five runs in the bottom of the seventh, capped up by a three-run home run to pinch-hitter Matt Vierling.
Prior to that, the game had been going pretty well for Kansas City. Brady Singer turned in five innings of one-run ball. He struck out six and walked three but also threw 93 pitches.