Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez showcased their power, each homering to propel the Kansas City Royals to a 9-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night, putting an end to the Orioles’ four-game winning streak.
In a game marked by offensive firepower, Adley Rutschman of the Orioles blasted his first career grand slam in the seventh inning off Will Smith, adding excitement to the matchup.
Dean Kremer, the Orioles’ starter, cruised through the early innings, retiring the first 11 batters he faced. However, Pasquantino broke the silence with a solo shot into the right-field bullpen, kickstarting a strong offensive display by the Royals.
Michael Massey, making his season debut after recovering from an injury, contributed two hits and two RBIs, providing a boost to the Royals’ lineup.
MJ Melendez ignited a five-run sixth inning with an RBI single, ending a 0-for-23 slump. The Royals capitalized on the momentum, with Massey and Hunter Renfroe delivering key two-run hits to extend the lead to 6-0.
Maikel Garcia and Melendez continued the offensive onslaught, with Garcia breaking an 0-for-26 streak with a single, followed by Melendez’s three-run homer off Dillon Tate.
The Royals’ pitching staff, led by starter Marsh, held the Orioles in check, keeping them off the scoreboard through 5 2/3 innings. Marsh navigated through several jams, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six.
Kansas City’s victory marked their ninth consecutive win at home, their longest streak since 2016.
Looking ahead, Orioles’ RHP Corbin Burnes will face Royals’ LHP Cole Ragans in the upcoming matchup on Saturday.
In a tense extra-inning battle, William Contreras came up clutch for the Milwaukee Brewers, driving in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
The decisive moment came when Contreras delivered a clutch two-out single off Ryan Helsley in the 10th inning, bringing home Blake Perkins, who started the inning as the automatic runner, and breaking the 1-1 deadlock. Hoby Milner then closed out the Cardinals in the bottom of the 10th to earn his first career save after 242 appearances.
Milwaukee’s win marked their second consecutive victory, while the Cardinals suffered their fourth loss in six games, struggling to generate runs consistently during this stretch.
The Cardinals managed to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out rally, capitalizing on a walk and a single to set the stage for a dramatic finish. However, Milwaukee’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, allowing the game to extend into extra innings.
Freddy Peralta, the Brewers’ starter, delivered an impressive performance, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out seven while allowing just four hits. Peralta’s stellar form continued this season, as opposing batters found it difficult to make solid contact against him.
Contreras had earlier given the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the third inning with an RBI double, showcasing his offensive prowess once again. His consistent hitting has been a key factor in the Brewers’ recent success.
Both teams received strong outings from their starting pitchers, with Kyle Gibson for the Cardinals and Freddy Peralta for the Brewers turning in solid performances.
The Cardinals paid tribute to former Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog before the game, honoring his legacy with a moment of silence and a video tribute.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals will send RHP Miles Mikolas to the mound to face off against LHP DL Hall and the Brewers on Saturday, with Mikolas aiming to join a select group of pitchers with double-digit wins against Milwaukee.
MLB scoreboard from Friday, April 19, 2024:
American League:
New York 5, Tampa Bay 3
Detroit 5, Minnesota 4
Kansas City 9, Baltimore 4
Cleveland 10, Oakland 2
National League:
Chicago 8, Miami 3
Milwaukee 2, St. Louis 1 (10)
New York 9, Los Angeles 4
Arizona 17, San Francisco 1
Interleague:
Cincinnati 7, Los Angeles 1
Houston 5, Washington 3
Boston 8, Pittsburgh 1
Philadelphia 7, Chicago 0
Atlanta 8, Texas 3
Toronto 5, San Diego 1
Seattle at Colorado – PP (Rain)
