KC Royals Ben Zobrist Leads Way in 4-3 Victory Over Reds

After a lengthy rain delay, the KC Royals rode four Ben Zobrist hits and two Lorenzo Cain RBI to a 4-3 win and a series sweep over the Reds Wednesday night.

The Royals jumped on the Reds early, as Alcides Escobar drew the first of two walks on the night before being driven in on the first of two Zobrist doubles.

He later scored on an Eric Hosmer single, giving the Royals an early 2-0 lead.

Zobrist finished with four hits on the night.

Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie labored through the first, giving up a lead off single to former Royal Jason Bourgeois before picking him off at first.

Guthrie got Eugenio Suarez to line out, but found himself at 23 pitches and in a 3-2 count to Joey Votto, who hit a home run to center field, making it a one run ball game.

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Brandon Phillips would tie the game two pitches later on a home run to left field, bloating Guthrie’s AL leading ERA to 5.73.

The Royals got the runs right back, as Escobar singled and was followed by a Zobrist double to put Royals at second and third with two outs.

Lorenzo Cain followed with a single up the middle, scoring both Escobar and Zobrist, and putting the Royals up 4-2.

After three innings, Reds starter Keyvius Sampson had given up 9 hits to the Royals, and gave Cincinnati just one out in the fourth before being relieved.

He gave up four runs and struck out two, while also walking two.

However, the Reds got a run back in the 3rd, behind a Suarez double, to make it 4-3.

Guthrie didn’t enjoy much more success than Sampson, going just 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits resulting in three runs.

He struck out four while walking three, as well as giving up multiple home runs for the fifth time this season.

However, the Royals bullpen gave the Royals 4 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six Reds in the process.

Wade Davis found himself in some trouble in the ninth, giving up a broken bat single and a walk to bring up Joey Votto with the tying run on second and two outs.

However, Davis struck out Votto to give the Royals their 73rd win on the season, as well as giving Davis his 10th save.

Next: Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox, 6:10 PM CT, Fenway Park; LHP Danny Duffy (6-5, 4.03 ERA) vs. LHP Wade Miley (9-9, 4.58 ERA)

Next: Royals Continue to Defy Expectations