Royals Report: 3 Things About Game 1 Win vs. Red Sox

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May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) hits a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

The Royals looked like their championship selves, riding strong pitching, outstanding defense, and just enough offense to win 3-2 over Boston in game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

The Kansas City Royals won their third game in a row with a tight, well-played game against the Boston Red Sox.

First baseman Eric Hosmer got things going with a two-run bomb to center field in first inning, starter Ian Kennedy held down Boston’s potent offense allowing two runs in 5.2 innings, and the bullpen closed out the game after Jarrod Dyson scored on a sacrifice fly from Lorenzo Cain in the sixth.

The team win put the KC Royals just over the .500 mark at 20-19, while the Red Sox dropped their second straight game to fall to 24-16.

The Kansas City Royals appear to be out of their three-week funk, even if they lose the second game of the double-header. The game 1 win nailed down the KC Royals second straight series win after dropping five in a row.

On to my observations about game 1:

Next: Ian Kennedy

May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Ian Kennedy Was Painting The Corners

Ian Kennedy struck out nine in 5.2 innings, including multiple called strikeouts. Kennedy was putting his fastball on the black all game, and it was live. The pitch tended to tail back over the plate to right handed hitter to shave the outside corner.

The Red Sox managed to score two runs against a pitcher with his best stuff, which is a testament to how well the Boston lineup has been hitting over the last few weeks.

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Kennedy very much earned the win even though Brian Flynn got the credit. He had to work himself out of a jam in the fourth inning, when he gave up three straight hits to open the frame. The Red Sox had plated one run and had runners at the corners with no outs before Kennedy struck out the side.

Left fielder Chris Young slammed a solo home run to lead off the fifth to tie the game at 2-2, and Kennedy escaped the inning when Alcides Escobar made a great play on a hard grounder deep into the hole with a runner on third.

The Red Sox forced Ian Kennedy to use 116 pitches just to get 2/3 of the way through the sixth inning, which prevented him from earning a quality start.

No matter. It was still a good day for Kennedy.

Next: The Defense

May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) makes a diving attempt on a ground ball against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Royals Defense Put In a Vintage Performance

The KC Royals losing streak featured a number of poor plays in the field, including one bad play by Jarrod Dyson in right field when he let a wind blow a high fly ball over his head for a triple in the corner.

Not so on game 1 of Wednesday’s double-header.

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Shortstop Alcides Escobar saved a run by spearing a hard smash into the hole off the bat of Xander Boegarts with Dustin Pedroia on second base after a wild pitch from Ian Kennedy.

In the eighth inning Jarrod Dyson, who was making his first start in right since last week, threw out Boegarts at third base attempting to advance from from first the third on David Ortiz‘s single. The strong throw saved a run when Travis Shaw flied out to left, which would have been deep enough to score a run on a sacrifice fly had Boegarts been safe at third.

The play helped Kelvin Herrera preserve the KC Royals 3-2 lead.

Not only did the Kansas City Royals defense make plays, they made game-changing plays in key situations.

It was a vintage performance from the KC Royals defense.

Next: Wade Davis

May 4, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Royals 13-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Wade Davis Notched His First Save In 17 Days

Davis had not recorded a save since May 1. However, to be fair to him, Wade Davis has only had ONE save opportunity before Wednesday. Davis blew a 2-0 lead on Sunday, which was the first two runs he had given up in the 2016 season.

On Wednesday, he worked around a one-out single by Jackie Bradley Jr. to nail down a one-run victory for the KC Royals. Davis lowered his ERA to 1.32 on the season and recorded his ninth save.

The Royals looked like their championship selves, riding strong pitching, outstanding defense, and just enough offense to win 3-2 over Boston in game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

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