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Replay review doesn't go Royals' way in 4-2 loss to Rockies

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on

Published in Baseball

DENVER — The Kansas City Royals offered the Colorado Rockies multiple chances to seize Friday’s series opener at Coors Field — a game that, early on, even involved some controversy.

In the eighth inning, the Rockies took the Royals up on their offer.

Colorado scored two late runs to surge forward in a 4-2 home victory. Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle hit a go-ahead two-run double off Royals reliever John Schreiber.

Doyle connected on a 92.4 mph sinker that was left over the plate. He capitalized on a bases-loaded situation as Colorado improved to 31-57.

The Royals fell to 48-42 and dropped their second consecutive game. The lineup didn’t produce much offense for ace starter Cole Ragans. He received two runs to aid him in his outing on Friday night.

Ragans wound up with a no decision. He allowed two runs — including a controversial home run that was reviewed for potential fan interference — in seven innings and registered eight strikeouts. He worked around three walks but was dinged with four wild pitches that extended a few pitch sequences.

Later, the Royals attempted to mount a late comeback.

KC collected two singles to begin the ninth. However, Rockies reliever Jalen Beeks struck out utilityman Garrett Hampson and forced outfielder Dairon Blanco to pop out in a key spot.

Beeks got Royals second baseman Maikel Garcia to ground out as the Rockies held on to win in front of a home crowd of 48,321 fans.

Here are more notables from Friday’s game:

Royals on short end of replay review

The Royals have been involved in a few controversial replay reviews this season. In the third inning, KC found itself at the mercy of replay once again.

Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia hit a solo home run that just cleared the left-field wall. As he rounded the bases, the umpire crew huddled near the mound.

 

A closer look showed that a fan had made contact with Blanco. Replay cameras displayed the fan apparently knocking the baseball out of Blanco’s glove.

The question remained whether the fan crossed into the field of play. If so, that would constitute fan interference. After a few moments, the call on the field stood as called.

Toglia was awarded a solo home run. The Rockies tied the game at 1-1. The home run marked their first hit in the game.

Royals manufacture an early run

It didn’t take long for the Royals to get on the scoreboard.

Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. hit a one-out double in the first inning. Two batters later, Witt scored as Royals captain Salvador Perez brought him home.

Prior to Friday’s game, the Royals led MLB with a .289 average with runners in scoring position. The run support aided Ragans early as he navigated the Rockies lineup for the first time at Coors Field.

What’s next on KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals continue their three-game road series against the Rockies. On Saturday, Royals ace Seth Lugo will make his 19th start of the season.

Lugo owns a 2.17 ERA and 11 wins this season. He looks to solidify his All-Star Game candidacy ahead of his fifth career appearance at Coors Field.

The Rockies will start left-hander Austin Gomber in the game. He is 1-5 with a 4.72 ERA this season.


©2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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