Royals Report: KC Pulls Out 4-3 Win Over Giants With Late Rally

The Royals scored single runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to overcome a 3-1 deficit in their 4-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday.

The Kansas City Royals ran their Cactus League record to a solid 7-3 with their 4-3 win on Sunday at the Giants spring home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kansas City hitters continue to show patience at the plate, drawing three walks to go with nine hits. KC also slammed four extra base hits, including a home run from top prospect Hunter Dozier.

Jorge Bonifacio opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second to score Paulo Orlando. But, the Giants responded with catcher Buster Posey‘s two RBI single in the third against KC Royals starter Danny Duffy. In the fourth, Brandon Belt extended the San Francisco lead with a solo home run off Joakim Soria.

Matt Strahm then impressed by pitching three scoreless innings with one strikout. Kevin McCarthy got the win for a pitching a scoreless eighth. Malcom Culver notched the save by blanking SF in the ninth.

My first big takeaway from Sunday’s game is the three innings pitched by Strahm. Apparently, KC Royals manager Ned Yost still sees him as a rotation candidate and wants to stretch out his arm for a potential starting role.  My other big takeaway is the continued strong showings of young players Raul Mondesi, Jorge Bonifacio, and Hunter Dozier.

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Mondesi went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI. He ran his spring slash line to .529/.529/.706. Meanwhile, Dozier hit a solo shot in his only plate appearance. His slash line is a tidy .500/.571/1.000. Bonifacio is hitting .462/.500/.615. Of course, young players trying to make an impression are going to be more focused in spring training than veterans working on their weaknesses.

Right fielder Jorge Soler also managed to stroke his first hit of the season with a first-inning single. That hit was nice to see, even though Soler’s batting average remains an anemic .057. Hey, this spring is all about working on his defense.

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Spring wins are fun—especially when you can see them in person. Let’s just hope they keep coming when the games count.