Royals Slay Giants In Series Opener

The Royals continued their winning ways Friday evening as they took game one of their series against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium.

Much-maligned Billy Butler was the one to get the scoring started for the Royals in the bottom of the first. After Omar Infante reached on a double with one out, William followed up Salvador Perez‘s line out to third with a 2-run home run to left field.

The Giants were able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Hunter Pence led off the inning with a single. He was then thrown out at third trying to advance on the single hit by Pablo Sandoval. Pence was initially called safe but the call was overturned after the Royals challenged. Unfortunately, Jason Vargas wasn’t able to get out of the inning unscathed. Michael Morse hit a single to put runners at first and second and Joaquin Arias hit a double to score one run. Matt Duffy then hit a single to score Arias and the score was tied before the Royals were able to record the final out of the inning.

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The Royals were able to score two more runs in the sixth on an interesting turn of events. Omar Infante was on first with one out after a single when Salvador Perez hit a ground ball to first baseman Michael Morse. Morse attempted to force Infante at second but his throw was wide of the mark. The return throw from Matt Duffy was also wild allowing Omar Infante to move to third. Billy Butler and Alex Gordon then hit back to back singles to give the Royals a 4-2 lead.

No more runs were scored as the Royals’ bullpen was able to lock the game down for the Royals.

Jason Vargas went five innings and gave up two earned runs with five strikeouts. The combination of Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland combined for four scoreless innings of relief giving up three hits and garnering six strikeouts. Two of those strikeouts belonged to Greg Holland who grabbed his 32nd save of the season.

The Royals are now eight games over .500 and look to improve on that while snagging another series win tomorrow.