Royals Report: KC Use Five Run Inning To Bash Dodgers 7-2

The Royals rapped out 11 hits to down the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale, Arizona Friday afternoon. Kansas City now stands 5-2 this spring.

Kansas City Royals hitters continue to give a good account of themselves this spring. In Friday’s 7-2 win, they lit up 2016 feel good story Rich Hill for four runs, and reliever Layne Somsen for another tally in a five-run second inning. Kansas City strung together three hits and five walks in the frame.

What has particularly impressed me is the number of walks they have drawn. Just two days ago, the KC Royals took seven free passes against the Cubs. I don’t know if the improved patience will continue into the regular season, but it’s a start.

KC smacked four extra base hits on the day. That total includes a solo home run for second baseman Raul Mondesi and a triple for Whit Merrifield. Mondesi and Merrifield are jousting with Cheslor Cuthbert and Christian Colon for the starting second base job.

Mondesi went 2 for 2 by adding a single to his solo shot. He was the only Royals player with more than one hit. On the downside, Jorge Soler went 0 for 3 and has still to hit safely this spring.

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On the mound, Ian Kennedy got the start and notched the win for two scoreless innings. Josh Staumont followed with another two-inning stint, but he gave up a run. However, the encouraging part of his performance was that he struck out two without allowing a walk. Since control has been his fatal flaw, giving up zero walks to major league hitters is particularly nice to see.

Kevin McCarthy, Luke Farrell, Yender Caramo, Eric Stout, and Malcom Culver pitched single innings for Kansas City. McCarthy gave up the Dodgers second run in the fifth inning.

Next: Matt Strahm, Starter Or Reliever?

The KC Royals are looking good this spring. Yeah, I know. The games don’t count and you don’t get any prizes for winning the Cactus League. It’s still nice to see, especially when pundits across the league believe that KC’s “magic run” is over. We’ll see.