Bubic, Witt Jr. shine as Royals beat Orioles 4-1

The Royals won their first series of year on Sunday afternoon, as they downed the Orioles 4-1.

Kris Bubic was once again fantastic, as he hurled 6.2 innings of 1 run ball, while allowing five hits and a walk, but striking out 8 batters again. The one run came after a Hunter Renfroe misplay in right, which resulted in a triple and then a wild pitch to get him home.

The Royals offense was hot from the start, as Bobby Witt Jr. hit a triple in the first and scored on a Vinnie Pasqauntino sac fly. But with two outs, a Salvy single, a Mark Canha single and a two-run double from Michael Massey put the Royals up 3-0 after one.

The second started with a Maikel Garcia single, he would advance to second on a pitch in the dirt, before coming home on Freddy Fermin’s first hit and RBI of the season. The Royals would threaten with an India single and Witt Jr. double, but Cade Povich was able to buckle down and get Vinnie and Salvy out without further damage.

The Royals would threaten a couple more times but were unable to convert. However, they would tally up 13 hits on the day, with Vinnie being the only starter to not record a hit. Hunter Harvey came on to finish the 7th inning, striking out the only batter he faced. Lucas Erceg would strike out two batters in his 1-2-3 inning and Carlos Estevez recorded his second save on the year with a 1-2-3 inning as well.

The big three of Harvey, Erceg and Estevez in the bullpen are yet to allow a run yet this season. (The run Estevez gave up on Wednesday due to the courtesy runner doesn’t count as an earned run.)

Bubic improves to 2-0 and with the Royals taking 2 of 3 from the Orioles are 4-5 now on the season. They will continue their 7 game homestand with a 4-game series starting tomorrow night against the Twins. Michael Lorenzen will get the start; first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.