Game Observations 36: Royals Defeat Orioles 4-3

ROYALS WIN! The KC Royals have cooled off the red-hot Baltimore Orioles by taking the series two games in.

Make that 5 of 6 now. The KC Royals snuck one out tonight, 4-3. We observe the biggest bullets from this game.

Nate Karns Was Pure Fire

Flame emoji. Flame emoji. Flame emoji. That is what described the start by Nate Karns tonight. Other than scuffling through the at bats by Francisco Pena, allowing two homers, Karns ate his way through the Orioles lineup tonight.

More from Kings of Kauffman

• KC Royals: Let the Ryan O’Hearn Watch begin…again
• KC Royals Roster Moves: 3 players added, 1 re-signed
• KC Royals News: Awards, a new coach, and more
• Why the KC Royals could reunite with this old friend
• 3 outfielders the KC Royals should consider protecting

After tying his career high in strikeouts in his last start against the Rays, Karns posted a career high 12 strikeouts tonight. He did this with precise work with his fastball and curveball. Apparently the changeup wasn’t part of the gameplay tonight.

Another impressive thing was he only walked one batter. After having a BB/9 of 4.3, Karns has a BB/9 of 2.9 early on. If this is for real, this could prove a great move by the KC Royals front office.

Brandon Moss Destroys Another Baseball

Two days, two bombs for KC Royals DH Brandon Moss. Heading into this series, many fans were concerned with the lack of production by free agent signing Brandon Moss. Some of those thoughts have been decreased, with Moss hitting his fifth and sixth home runs as a Royal.

Like I said in last night’s game observation, this offense could really get going if the bat of Brandon Moss can. Let’s hope this home run production can continue.

Jorge Soler Finds The Holes

Jorge Soler hasn’t gotten off to the finest first step of his KC Royals career, after struggling in Spring Training, injuring his oblique, starting the season off 0 for 15.

Soler has started to find the holes though. In his early season slump, Soler was hitting some balls hard, but they were right at fielders.

KC Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles: Series Breakdown and Prediction

Fueling a .067 BABIP, Soler couldn’t get on base. But tonight, Soler’s luck reversed. On two poor struck balls, Soler collected two hits, a single and a double. This raised his batting average from .048 to .120. Progress!