This pitchers’ duel featured a Kansas City Royals All-Star vs. Cubs rookie sensation

The Kansas City Royals felt the sting of a late Chicago Cubs comeback on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

In the seventh inning, the Cubs loaded the bases against Royals starter Seth Lugo. The veteran All-Star surrendered consecutive singles and a walk as he attempted to protect a one-run advantage.

“It changes the whole game,” Lugo said of the seventh-inning walk to Cubs star Dansby Swanson. “I mean, with two guys on and nobody out, you can’t issue a free pass there. “

Lugo departed after tossing 90 pitches. The Royals went to their bullpen to match up southpaw reliever Sam Long against Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

However, the Cubs turned to pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom. It proved to be a wise decision as the veteran slugger hit a grand slam to propel the Cubs to a 9-4 victory.

“We were ready for that and still thought Sam was a good option there,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

The Royals fell to 57-48 and suffered a third loss during the current nine-game homestand.

Saturday’s game was billed as a pitchers’ duel between Cubs rookie sensation Shota Imanaga and Lugo. Fans were treated to early offense as the Cubs took a two-run lead in the first inning.

Lugo allowed a two-run homer to Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki in the frame. The Royals would counter and take the lead following a three-run sixth inning.

KC outfielder Hunter Renfroe fueled the offensive outburst. He belted a solo home run in his first at-bat and later had a two-run single. The Royals produced five hits in the sixth to chase Imanaga from the game.

“(I’m) trying to make sure I’m not doing too much movement up at the plate where I swing under the ball,” Renfroe said. “Trying to make more consistent contact.”

Imanaga allowed three runs in 5 ⅔ innings. Cubs reliever Julian Merryweather picked up the victory.

Lugo suffered his fifth loss. He was charged with six earned runs in 6 ⅓ innings of work.

The Cubs improved to 50-56 and evened the three-game series.

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Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:

Hunter Renfroe leads Royals offense

The Royals didn’t produce a lot of early offense on Saturday. Imanaga looked comfortable navigating the KC lineup through five innings.

The sixth was a different story.

KC broke through, and Renfroe set the tone. He provided the big blow with a two-run single that scored teammates Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin.

The duo represented the go-ahead runs in the sixth. It was Renfroe’s 37th and 38th RBIs on the season.

Renfroe finished 3-for-4. Earlier in the game, he hit a solo home run off Imanaga.

“I think he has been pretty good for a while now going back to mid-May and early June,” Quatraro said.

Renfroe belted a 92 mph fastball that was left over the outside part of the plate. The blast traveled 416 feet and landed in the left-center field seats. It was his 10th home run of the season. He has hit eight of those homers at Kauffman Stadium.

Shota Imanaga dazzles at The K

Royals fans got their first look at Imanaga on the mound. He didn’t disappoint as he attacked both corners of the plate to keep the Royals offense off-balance.

Imanaga has a unique delivery. He holds his leg midair for a moment. Then he fires downhill to create maximum spin and velocity.

“First time through, it was a lot of heaters,” Quatraro said. “The second time through, it was a lot of splits (splitter). They are both good pitches. First time seeing a guy, sometimes it’s difficult.”

Renfroe agreed. He mentioned the vertical break was something the Royals needed to adjust to.

“The fastball plays up for him,” Renfroe said. “... Pretty good vertical angle so it works well.”

Around the AL Central

The Royals didn’t lose ground in the American League Central standings on Saturday. Both the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins lost their respective games.

The Guardians (62-42) fell 8-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Twins (57-46) lost 7-2 against the Detroit Tigers.

KC remains 5.5 games back on the Guardians in the AL Central. The Twins are a game up on the Royals for second place in the division.

What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?

The Royals conclude their nine-game homestand at Kauffman Stadium. On Sunday, KC will send left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans to the mound against the Cubs.

Ragans is 7-6 with a 3.23 ERA this season. He has recorded 146 strikeouts and 15 quality starts during the 2024 campaign. The Cubs will start right-hander Javier Assad (4-3, 3.15 ERA) in the series finale.