Welp, that sure was another spring training game. Let’s hope that’s all it was.
Cole Ragans got hit around pretty badly in 2.1 innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits, one walk, and two home runs. It was reminiscent of his start against the Orioles early last season in that he got his strikeouts, but if he didn’t strike them out they hit it hard until he left.
Evan Sisk and Lucas Erceg both struggled with their command, walking two each in an inning each. Luinder Avila and Steven Zobac did continue to impress, each pitching two innings with four strikeouts. Avila allowed a run in his first inning of work, but Zobac was scoreless.
As for the hitters, the Royals scored their only run in the first inning when Jonathan India led off with a deep smash that Pete Crow-Armstrong managed to snare with a leaping attempt. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a double, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Vinnie Pasquantino flyball.
The remaining four hits were collected by Witt (giving him two on the night), Pasquantino, Kale Emshoff, Omar Hernandez, and Nick Loftin. I am not sure if it’s the first time all spring, but the Royals didn’t steal a single base all night; every time I’ve checked they’ve had a bunch of stolen bases and the radio broadcast indicated they easily led the Cactus League in steals for a team.
It was an ugly result, but in the end, it doesn’t matter any more than the impressive wins from last week. The Royals will resume day games when they visit the Padres in Peoria tomorrow at 2 PM CST. Seth Lugo will have a chance to bounce back from his subpar first outing and the Royals will look to put an end to their losing streak.
