Kansas City Royals news: Two-out rallies doom Royals

Salvador Perez talks about the big six-run inning that led to Saturday’s win.

“I think every time we’re doing something good, everybody gets excited,” Perez said. “The guy behind me is trying to do his job, you know, just try to keep the line moving.”

Anne Rogers has more on the rally.

“India getting it started by squaring the ball up, I started to feel like, ‘All right, maybe we’re starting to see this guy a little bit,’ because that was two in one inning,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “And then Jensen had another good at-bat. It wasn’t like they were swinging from their heels. They were hitting balls hard through the middle of the field.”

Two-out rallies by the Brewers doomed the Royals.

“It wasn’t necessarily a loss of focus, it was just a lack of execution getting ahead in the count, because the stuff felt normal today,” Bubic said. “They just made it hurt with two outs. It’s a pesky lineup over there. They’re good for a reason. They just did their damage with two outs and took advantage of the free 90 feet I gave them.”

Bubic registered a 40% whiff rate and struck out eight batters. But the Brewers did all their damage on the four hits Bubic allowed, and all on fastballs.

Eleven of the 14 runs the Brewers scored this series came with two outs. Pesky indeed.

Former Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa was a factor in the Brewers winning the series.

The left-handed Zerpa, who made his major league debut with the Royals in 2021, came up big again in the eighth when his pickoff throw nailed pinch runner Tyler Tolbert for the third out. Tolbert had broken for second on Zerpa’s move and guessed wrong.

“It’s a left-handed pitcher, you’re rolling the dice,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s a tough situation for Tyler. We’re down by a run, and you have to take a chance there.”

Jaylon Thompson talked to Zerpa about returning to Kansas City.

“I have a lot of fun memories,” Zerpa said. “They helped me a lot.”

Zerpa has done well in Milwaukee. He hasn’t allowed a run in three relief appearances so far this season.

“He pitches like he’s been doing it for 20 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “He’s got good rhythm to him, good pace to him. Attacks the zone. Seems like a great competitor, a fierce competitor. I love that about him.”

Anne Rogers writes about the pet turtle the Brewers have adopted, named Bobby Jr.

Mike Gillespie at Royals Keep writes how Matt Quatraro’s seat could get warm.

Jo Adell had one of the best defensive games ever, with three home run-saving catches.

Closer Peter Fairbanks makes a rare start so he can leave early to be with his expecting wife.

The Yankees and Marlins have the longest game in the pitch clock era.

White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami hits his fourth home run in eight games, the hottest start for a Japanese free agent.

Juan Soto is day-to-day with a calf strain.

The Rays have a sellout in their return to Tropicana Field on Monday.

Mookie Betts lands on the Injured List.

Astros ace Hunter Brown lands on the Injured List.

What is the best team in each organization’s farm system?

Who was the first Major League baseball player?