Royals rally to defeat AL Central rival Guardians 2-1

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez, left, tags out Kansas City Royals’ Hunter Renfroe at second to complete a double play, after Maikel Garcia grounded to first base during the third inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kyle Isbel and Maikel Garcia hit back-to-back triples to start a sixth-inning rally, and Vinnie Pasquantino delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly that sent the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory at the Cleveland Guardians, who lead the AL Central, on Thursday night.

Sam Long (2-1) got the win in relief, wriggling out of Michael Wacha’s foul trouble in the sixth and putting the side away in the seventh. John Schreiber handled the eighth before James McArthur made a perfect ninth for his 14th save.

Kansas City trails Cleveland by eight games but can make up some ground during this four-game series.

“There are certain expectations in this division right now,” Long said. “We’re way off the mark.”

Against one of his former teams, Ben Lively (7-4) got some help from a Cleveland defense that turned a pair of double plays to wipe out leadoff singles. The righthander ultimately allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings.

“He was outstanding. He just attacked the zone, efficient with his pitches. It was unfortunate in the sixth, but he got through the sixth,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “I thought he was great.”

Wacha allowed one run on seven hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings while striking out six.

“I mean, we know the kind of professional he is,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Just to get him to storm the zone — they made him work. I mean, his pitch count went up there. But he just works really hard.”

Quatraro watched the go-ahead signal from the clubhouse after he was ejected by third base umpire Tripp Gibson for challenging a call during the fifth inning. Nick Loftin appeared to avoid a tag on a Hunter Renfroe grounder, but Gibson said Loftin left the basepath – even though he was never further out than when he rounded third base and headed home.

Quatraro argued for a minute, but then had turned to walk back to the dugout when Gibson threw him out.

It certainly seemed to set Kansas City alight.

The Guardians held on to a 1-0 lead that Daniel Schneemann provided with his sacrifice fly in the fifth when Isbel led off the sixth inning with a triple to right, narrowly beating Schneemann’s throw to third base. Garcia followed with his own triple to right field, sliding back in just before Schneemann’s throw and tying the game.

Pasquantino followed two batters later with a sacrifice fly, sending Kansas City to its third win in four games.

Both teams squandered many chances. The Guardians left the bases loaded in the second inning and again in the sixth, stranding nine runners in all. And the Royals had leadoff singles in three straight innings, but they didn’t show anything.

“We should have scored more runs tonight. We wish we could have done that,” Vogt said, “but nights like this happen.”

HELP ON THE ROAD

The Guardians reached a deal with LHP Matthew Boyd on Thursday, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because 33-year-old Boyd, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery last year, has yet to pass a medical exam. He went 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts for Detroit last season.

ROSTER MOVES

The Guardians placed OF Will Brennan (ribitis) on the injured list retroactive to Tuesday. They recalled INF José Tena and RHP Darren McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus. RHP Xzavion Curry was optioned to the same club on Wednesday night.

NEXT ONE

Cleveland RHP Triston McKenzie (3-4, 4.66 ERA) takes on Kansas City RHP Alec Marsh (5-5, 4.40) on Friday night.