Royals make up ground in AL Central with Game 1 road win vs. Guardians

The Kansas City Royals turned to their youngest All-Star against the Cleveland Guardians.

And shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. came through, belting a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning of a 4-3 victory over the America League Central leaders in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader at Progressive Field.

It was Witt’s 27th home run of the season. More importantly, it helped the Royals creep closer to Cleveland in the division.

“He’s always present,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s the best thing about him. He doesn’t care what he’s done prior or what he’s going to do tomorrow. He is going to be in that box and try to beat you right there.”

With the win, the Royals (73-58) will be just two games behind the Guardians (75-56) for first place in the division when Game 2 of this twin bill began Monday.

“He threw me two sliders, so I was trying to see something up and hit it,” Witt said. “I was able to kind of get a good pitch.”

Royals outfielder MJ Melendez had a good all-around game in Monday’s doubleheader opener. He hit a three-run homer off Guardians reliever Eli Morgan, a blast that traveled 343 feet and gave the Royals an early 3-2 lead.

Later, Melendez made a terrific diving catch to rob Guardians outfielder Jhonkensy Noel of extra bases. The defensive highlight stranded two Cleveland base runners in the fifth inning.

“It goes to show we are here to compete,” Melendez said. “We are here to battle. Whatever team that has to face us is going to have a challenge in front of them, and a tough one at that. We are not backing down from any single challenge or any team.”

That run support was enough for Royals pitcher Cole Ragans. The left-handed starter allowed two runs before departing the game due to a cramping (more on that later).

“I felt the mechanics just weren’t great,” Ragans said. “I just didn’t throw strikes. That’s the end of the story.”

The Guardians, too, utilized their bullpen throughout the game. The Royals recorded six hits against Cleveland’s convoy of relievers. Steven Kwan and Josh Naylor both recorded RBIs for Cleveland.

Right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg picked up his eighth save.

Here are more notable aspects of Monday’s Game 1:

Cole Ragans exits early

Ragans left Monday’s game with what the club called cramping in his left calf and hamstring.

Royals trainer Kyle Turner and manager Matt Quatraro noticed that Ragans was dealing with some discomfort in the fifth inning. He had just walked Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas and thrown a pitch to the backstop.

Ragans revealed later that he was fine, also confirming he felt discomfort during Thomas’ at-bat.

“I felt little things throughout the game,” Ragans said. “Just felt something a little more in the fifth and rather not push it.”

After a brief conversation, the Royals pulled Ragans from the game in favor of reliever James McArthur.

Ragans departed after four innings. He didn’t have his best command, as noted by four walks. But he still managed to limit the Guardians to a pair of runs (one earned) and handed over a one-run lead.

“Pretty erratic,” Ragans said. “You know, I didn’t command the fastball and didn’t get ahead. ... I just felt off. Like I said, didn’t command anything and the offense picked me up pretty quick. The bullpen really picked me up. Good team win.”

Royals benefit from replay review

Melendez’s three-run homer helped swing the momentum at Progressive Field.

But the sequence that followed was a bit confusing, to say the least.

Melendez belted a line drive that appeared to hit above the line signaling home run in right field. And first base umpire Tom Hanahan initially ruled it a homer. However, the entire umpire crew then convened in the infield and the call was overturned.

“They have a little bit of a railing,” Melendez said. “Once I saw it hit off of that, I knew it was gone.”

Instead, Melendez was determined to have hit a double. This prompted the Royals to challenge the ruling with official replay review. The review confirmed the baseball indeed glanced off the wall above the line.

“I knew they kind of overturned it and re-overturned it, but I was pretty confident,” Melendez said.

Melendez had hit his 17th home run of the season, and it was a crucial one. It gave the Royals a one-run lead. The Guardians tied the game again in the seventh inning, but Witt’s solo home run held up as the game-winner.

“Incredible,” Quatraro said of Melendez’s day. “We’re not clearly talking about a win if he doesn’t do those things.”

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