The upstart Kansas City Royals will aim to extend their home winning streak to 10 games on Saturday night when they play the second contest of their three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Kansas City slugged its way past homer-happy Baltimore in the series opener. MJ Melendez went deep to highlight his four-RBI performance, and Vinnie Pasquantino had a solo shot in the Royals' 9-4 victory on Friday night.
Melendez snapped an 0-for-23 skid at the plate with a two-out RBI single during a five-run sixth inning. Michael Massey, who was making his season debut, joined Hunter Renfroe in driving in a pair of runs during the inning.
"I love these guys like brothers. To watch them do the thing on TV is tough, but obviously love to see them win. (I) couldn't be more excited to be back and keep winning games," said Massey, who had been sidelined since late in spring training due to a lower back strain.
Baltimore right-hander Corbin Burnes (2-0, 2.28 ERA) will look to keep Kansas City in check.
Burnes, 29, owns a 2-0 record with a 1.52 ERA in four career games (all starts) against the Royals. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner allowed two runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision vs. Kansas City on April 3.
Royals ace left-hander Cole Ragans (0-1, 1.93 ERA) will provide the opposition on Saturday night.
Ragans, 26, has pitched well this season, albeit without a win. He scattered five hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the New York Mets on Sunday.
"He has top-of-the-rotation stuff," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "He mixes it up, throws hard (and) controls the running game well. He has the total package."
Ragans was even better in his most recent outing vs. Baltimore. He yielded just one hit and struck out seven in 6 1/3 scoreless innings on April 3 before settling for another no-decision. He is 0-1 with a 1.00 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against the Orioles.
Adley Rutschman launched his first career grand slam in the series opener for Baltimore, which has gone deep 31 times this season. The Orioles, however, were unable to score any more runs Friday and saw their four-game winning streak end.
"Big hit by Adley to kind of get us back in it," Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said, "but we just didn't pitch great out of the 'pen."
"I think our team doesn't feel like we're out of any game at any given point," Rutschman said, per MASN. "That's what makes us such a special group. We've got a lot of guys who are committed to our process and are relentless."
Baltimore's Cedric Mullins had a single in the seventh inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Prized prospect Jackson Holliday, however, is 1-for-27 with 15 strikeouts to begin his major league career.
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