Kansas City RoyalsvsWashington Nationals
KC 4/WSH 6
Things to say
Nationals beat the Royals 6-4 at Nationals Park.
01
opener
Nats took care of business at home, 6-4 over the Royals. Felt like one of those games where KC was hanging around the whole night but never really got into Washington's stuff.
02
key player
Whoever was hitting in the middle of that Washington order looked locked in — heart of the order did the damage, that's the whole story.
03
hot take
Royals are 29-45 and it's June. Cook the books, it's a long offseason in Kansas City.
04
deep cut
Nationals Park on a Tuesday, half-empty crowd, MLB.TV only broadcast — kind of a getaway-day vibe even though it wasn't one.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if the Nats can stack a couple — they're finally pushing over .500.
The recap
Nats took this one 6-4 at home, finally cashing in on a series they had no business losing. Kansas City hung around early, but Washington's bats got into the Royals starter once the lineup turned over a second time and the heart of the order did the damage.
The Royals manager went to the pen too early and it bit him, with the middle innings basically deciding it before anyone could blink. Royals are 29-45 and it shows; Nats sneak above .500 at 39-35 and look like the team nobody wants to draw right now.