Bobby Witt Jr. had the eighth four-hit game of his career and the Kansas City Royals tied a season high with 17 hits while completing a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. However, the topic in the locker room afterward was the team’s pitching.
Heading into the Friday series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox, the Royals have earned shutout victories in six of their past 13 games, including a 10-0 win over the White Sox on Thursday.
The Royals outscored Chicago 19-4 in the series with Michael Wacha and Kris Bubic tossing seven shutout innings in the final two games. Kansas City starters gave up just two runs (one earned) and 19 hits over 25 2/3 innings in the series while striking out 26 and walking seven.
“It’s remarkable,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Credit to (pitching coach Brian Sweeney) and the pitching guys for the plan they put together, and for the guys for executing. … We believe in this pitching staff. We know these guys have a high ceiling, and right now they’re executing at a high level.”
“With the guys on the mound, we’re just trying to put up some runs because we know what they’re doing,” Witt said. “It’s incredible.”
The Royals bring their second six-game winning streak of the season into the three-game series with Boston. They have won nine of their past 10 games and 15 of their past 17.
“We’re firing on all cylinders right now, and it’s fun,” said left fielder/third baseman Jonathan India, who had two hits, two RBIs and three runs.
Witt added, “We knew what we can do. I don’t feel like it’s ‘on a roll.’ We’re playing Royals baseball, and that’s just how it’s going to be.”
Veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 4.23 ERA) will start against the Red Sox for the first time in his career on Friday. He will be opposed by rookie right-hander Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.78).
Lorenzen has faced Boston once in his career, in relief for the Cincinnati Reds in 2017, and he allowed two runs in one-third of an inning.
Dobbins will be making just the fourth start of his career, his first against Kansas City, and he comes in off his first loss. He allowed four runs, including a two-run homer by Kody Clemens, son of former Red Sox ace Roger Clemens, during a 4-3 defeat against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Dobbins lasted 5 2/3 innings.
The Red Sox are starting a six-game road trip, with three games against the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers to follow the visit to Kansas City.
Boston rebounded from a 6-1 loss to Texas on Tuesday to win take the final two games of the series from the Rangers, including a 5-0 win in the Thursday afternoon finale.
Rafael Devers led the way with a solo home run and two RBIs. Trevor Story scored two runs and stole a base, and four pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout for the Red Sox, who moved back above the .500 mark at 20-19.
“Really good sign that we bounced back, especially after losing the first game against a tough Texas team that pitches really well,” Story said. “They’ve got a lot of great players. To be able to bounce back and get these last two, hopefully we can ride that momentum into Kansas City and Detroit.”
–Field Level Media
