Kyle Isbel’s RBI single in the eighth inning propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, leaders of the AL Central, on Thursday. Isbel’s hit, which scored Adam Frazier, followed his game-tying RBI two innings earlier. This win allowed Kansas City to split the two-game series after a rainout on Wednesday.
In the pivotal eighth inning, Frazier hit a double off Cleveland’s Hunter Gaddis (3-2) with two outs. Isbel then delivered a sharp liner to right field, bringing Frazier home. Reflecting on his performance, Isbel said, “I had a lot of opportunities today, late in the game with a chance to take the lead. I put a good swing on a ball and got a good pitch to hit.”
This win brought the Royals to within four games of the Guardians in the division standings. Kansas City has struggled recently, winning only three of their last ten games since May 25. However, the bullpen’s stellar performance was crucial, with Sam Long (1-1) pitching the seventh inning and James McArthur earning his 12th save by pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro praised the bullpen, stating, “We don’t win if they don’t put up the zeroes. The Guardians have gone through a lot of these games, too, and that’s why these teams are winning.”
For the Guardians, José Ramírez was a standout, hitting a solo home run and driving in two runs. Despite the loss, Cleveland maintains one of the best records in baseball at 40-21, trailing only the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. The Guardians have been particularly strong at home, entering the day with a 21-7 record.
Isbel returned to the lineup for the first time since Sunday, after sustaining a head injury in a collision with teammate Bobby Witt Jr. and recovering from small facial fractures from a previous incident in Tampa Bay. “Some freak accidents,” Isbel remarked. “I don’t wish that upon anybody, but I’m feeling good.”
Kansas City tied the game at 3 in the sixth inning. Hunter Renfroe doubled in Freddy Fermin, and MJ Melendez narrowly avoided a tag at home plate, scoring on Isbel’s grounder. Initially called out by home plate umpire Chris Conroy, the call was overturned on a replay challenge by the Royals. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt commented, “It was a tough play, just an unfortunate turn that didn’t go our way. I haven’t seen the replay, but I’m sure they got it right.”
Ramírez, leading the majors with 60 RBIs, put the Guardians ahead 2-1 in the third inning with a 422-foot home run into the right-field stands. He added another RBI in the fourth inning, singling home Steven Kwan to make it 3-1, which ended Royals starter Brady Singer’s outing. “I think I’ve tried everything against (Ramírez) and he’s still gotten me,” Singer said. “He’s a real, real good hitter.”
Ramírez has been on a hot streak, with eight home runs in the last 20 games and 50 RBIs in his last 46 contests. He also moved past Manny Ramirez to eighth place in franchise history with 806 career RBIs.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee struck out seven over five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Singer, who missed his previous turn in the rotation due to illness, pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs.
In injury news, Royals second baseman Michael Massey, out since May 26 with a low back ligament strain, will be re-assessed on Friday in Kansas City. For the Guardians, right-hander Eli Morgan, dealing with right elbow inflammation, is set to resume his throwing progression after a brief shutdown, according to manager Stephen Vogt.
