KC Royals recover from 3-0 deficit, take Game 1 of doubleheader in St. Louis

The Kansas City Royals reached 50 wins this season with a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a Wednesday doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

And they did it in a comeback fashion.

The Royals rallied from a three-run deficit to take the I-70 series opener. The KC offense sprayed nine hits, including four for extra bases.

“It’s always fun winning,” Royals outfielder Garrett Hampson said. “I don’t think anybody in that clubhouse was thinking about 50 wins today. We have a bigger goal and that is important.”

The Royals scored three runs against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante in the fifth inning. He surrendered four hits in the frame, including Hampson’s two-run double.

An inning later, the Royals regained the lead on Salvador Perez’s 15th home run. The Royals captain finished with two RBIs Wednesday.

“Super big,” Perez said of the victory. “Every day, we just need to come into the ball park and prepare ourselves and try to win because that is the goal to make it to the playoffs.”

That run support was enough for Royals starting pitcher Alec Marsh. He rebounded from two early home runs to shut down the Cardinals. Each St. Louis run scored via the long ball.

“Sal did such a good job back there making sure I calmed down after a four-pitch walk or a couple of balls in a row,” Marsh said. “It was just relax, take a deep breath and then get back into the zone and dialed in.”

The Royals improved to 50-43 and won their second consecutive game during an eight-game road trip.

The Cardinals dropped to 48-43.

KC will be looking to sweep the quick two-game series later Wednesday. Royals pitcher and former Cardinal Michael Wacha will make the start in his first game back at Busch Stadium. First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Central Time.

“It’s a long season and we know we are going to have some tough stretches,” Hampson said. “But, (we) played good. Got to finish off this first half and, you know, finish the season strong.”

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Here are more notable aspects of Game 1:

Alec Marsh steadies after shaky start

The Royals got behind early against the Cardinals in Game 1. St. Louis was aggressive against Marsh in the first few innings.

Cardinals star Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in the second frame. It was his eighth home run of the year as St. Louis took a 2-0 lead. An inning later, Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson added his own solo homer.

“Sometimes you have to take a step back,” Marsh said. “I had one goal today and that was just let it rip. You know, I’m a big thinker. Sometimes, it doesn’t help me and I think what’s most important is keeping it simple. I think that is best for me.”

Marsh managed to rebound quickly. He retired his last 11 batters in order en route to his seventh win of the season. He allowed a total of three hits, striking out eight.

Marsh threw 101 pitches and registered 16 whiffs, per Baseball Savant. And he now has five quality starts this season.

Salvador Perez hits go-ahead homer

Perez pulled the Royals ahead in the sixth inning with his 15th home run of the year.

Perez hit a 96.8 mph fastball over the center field wall. The baseball traveled 424 feet and gave Marsh another chance for the victory.

“He crushed that ball after the previous pitch was nasty,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It was a two-seamer, down and in, that almost hit him. But, then to stay in there and drive a ball to center like that, I felt pretty good as soon as saw (Cardinals outfielder) Lars Nootbaar turn around.”

Perez has recorded a hit in 11 of his past 14 games since since June 24. He has recorded five extra-base hits and 12 RBIs in that span.

On Wednesday, Perez — who holds the Royals’ interleague record for most home runs (43), RBIs (134) and hits (232) — finished 2-for-4.

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals were to finish their quick two-game set against the Cardinals on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. Central.

Veteran right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha will start Game 2 of the doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

Wacha — acquired by the Royals this past offseason — returns to St. Louis for the first time since departing in 2020. He spent seven seasons with the Cardinals after being selected in the 2012 MLB Draft.

This season, Wacha is 5-6 with a 3.74 ERA. The Cardinals haven’t announced a starter for Game 2 of the doubleheader.