Seattle MarinersvsKansas City Royals
SEA 6/KC 8
Things to say
Royals beat the Mariners 8-6 at Kauffman.
01
opener
Royals took it 8-6 at home. Felt like Seattle was hanging around all night but KC just kept tacking on. Bullpen made it interesting at the end like it always does.
02
key player
Bobby Witt Jr. is just a different animal right now — guy is carrying that lineup on his back every night.
03
hot take
Seattle's rotation is fine, but if they don't fix the bullpen by July they're sellers at the deadline.
04
deep cut
Mariners skipper went to the pen way too early in the sixth, gave up the lead the next at-bat. Starter still had stuff.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if KC can keep it rolling — they've got the Astros next and that's a whole different test.
The recap
Royals took this one 8-6 at Kauffman on a getaway Sunday, and it had that classic AL Central slugfest feel. Seattle's starter couldn't get into his stuff past the fifth, and once the manager went to the pen too early, Kansas City's heart of the order made him pay with a couple balls that left the yard.
The Mariners clawed back late, but the KC bullpen slammed the door when it mattered. Royals still ten games under, but they'll take a series win over a wild-card sniffer any day.