The Kansas City Royals, behind solid starting pitching from Brad Keller and a timely double in the sixth inning off the bat of Nicky Lopez, won at NL Central-leading Milwaukee 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon, completing a four-game season sweep of the Brewers.
Keller improved to 7-9 with 6 2/3 innings of starting work, allowing three runs with two walks while striking out six. Scott Barlow worked the ninth for his fifth save in eight chances. With Kansas City leading 5-3 in the 8th inning, Jorge Soler hammered a home run into the left-field stands at American Family Field.
The four-game season sweep is a season oddity for both teams, with Kansas City sitting in last-place in the American League Central and Milwaukee on top in the National League Central. The Royals swept the Brewers on May 18th and 19th at Kauffman Stadium.
Andrew Benintendi, on Wednesday’s win, had an RBI double, with Hunter Dozier adding a bloop RBI single. The game-winning rally, with three runs in the sixth, came off losing pitcher Brent Suter, now 9-5 on the season.
Kansas City is back home to begin a seven-game homestand, starting Friday night against the Detroit Tigers on KTTN AM 1600, and FM affiliates 98.3 and 92.3. Chicago will be in town Monday through Thursday of next week.
In other Royals news, the team acquired pitcher Joel Payamps from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, sending cash to the Jays in return. Payamps had 22 appearances for Toronto this season, with a 2.70 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
On Tuesday, Kansas City’s pitching staff took a significant blow, with starters Danny Duffy (left flexor strain) and Brady Singer (right shoulder fatigue) both placed on the 10-day injured list. Taking the spots on the active roster for the team are right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber and infielder/outfielder Ryan McBroom.
Top prospect Bobby Witt Jr., having been promoted from AA Northwest Arkansas to AAA Omaha early in the week, continues to produce for the Storm Chasers, going 3-for-5 on Wednesday night in a 7-6 loss to the St. Paul Saints. Witt’s first homer for Omaha came in inside-the-park style. The 21-year old is now 5-for-11 in two games at Omaha.