Royals Report: 4 Things About Bashfest vs. Boston

4) Is Joakim Soria Turning It Around?

As most KC Royals fans know, Joakim Soria signed a three-year, $27 million deal to take over as Wade Davis‘ setup man. After a number of rough outings, not only did Soria lose the eighth-inning job to Kelvin Herrera, he lost a place among KC’s “Three-Headed Monster” that manager Ned Yost deploys when he’s got a lead going into the seventh inning.

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With Danny Duffy moving to the rotation due to injuries to Chris Young and Kris Medlen, Yost is looking for a third reliable reliever.

On Tuesday, Soria entered the game in the ninth inning after Paulo Orlando’s two-run shot gave the Kansas City Royals a four run lead which killed the save situation.

Soria didn’t disappoint.

For the third straight game after blowing a save in New York, Joakim Soria did not give up a run. In fact, Soria notched a clean inning to finish off the game.

While he’s pitching in lower leverage situations, Soria could be getting in a groove—which would be good news for a KC Royals team that needs its shut-down bullpen.

Next: KC Royals: Have Hitters Adjusted To Yordano Ventura?

The Royals play a double-header on Wednesday against Boston due to Monday’s rainout.

Game 1:  The KC Royals will send Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.25 ERA) to the mound against Steven Wright (3-3, 2.36 ERA) for the Boston Red Sox 12:15 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO Wednesday, May18.

Game 2: The KC Royals will send Edinson Volquez (3-2, 3.51 ERA) to the mound against David Price (5-1, 6.00 ERA) for the Boston Red Sox 7:15 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO Wednesday, May16.