Kansas City Royals: Bullpen blows 4-2 lead in 5-4 loss to SD

Two days removed from their sixth win of Spring Training, the Kansas City Royals sought after win number seven tonight against the San Diego Padres. After nine hard-fought innings, the team ended up on the losing end. Your final score: 5-4, Padres.

Positives

Newly-acquired Royal Lucas Duda registered a hit in his first Spring Training appearance with the team.

Both Cheslor Cuthbert and Jorge Bonifacio continued their solid springs thus far, with Cuthbert hitting his first home run and Bonifacio collecting his seventh RBI.

Ramón Torres and Tyler Collins left their marks on this one, each driving in a run late in the game.

Bullpen arms Brad Keller and Eric Skoglund combined for 3.1 scoreless innings and five strikeouts.

Negatives

Despite having a torrid Spring Training up until today, Paulo Orlando struck out both times he stepped up to the plate in tonight’s game.

In addition to Orlando going 0-for-2 this evening, fellow starters Whit Merrifield, Salvador Perez, Jorge Soler and Alcides Escobar all joined him in that not-so-exclusive club.

Starter Nathan Karns got through 1.2 innings and struck out three batters, but his control was off and he walked three batters tonight. Although it could have been worse, the mixed bag of results surely wasn’t what Karns wanted.

Young right-hander Andres Machado struggled to find his command in this one, giving up three hits and a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning.

After tossing a scoreless seventh inning, Heath Fillmyer stayed in the game for the eighth. Naturally, he allowed a trio of hits and a pair of runs, allowing SD to tie the game at 4-4.

The following inning, Kevin McCarthy surrendered the run that gave SD a 5-4 lead.

Final Thoughts

The Royals could be in a lot of these style of games once the regular season commences. Neither the offense nor pitching staff stood out in this one. It was a highly-contested battle until the end. More often than not, the Boys in Blue will come out on top in games like this. It just wasn’t in the cards tonight. Winning 6 of your first 10 Spring Training games is nothing to scoff at, though.

Next: Royals sign OF Jon Jay to one-year deal

The Royals will remain in Surprise for tomorrow’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch will begin at 2:05 PM CST. You’ll be able to find both a preview and recap right here at Kings of Kauffman.