The Kansas City Royals opened June with a 9-2 thumping of the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, June 1 at Great American Ballpark.
The Royals set the tone early by loading the bases in the first inning, setting up Lane Thomas’ first-pitch grand slam to left-center field to give KC the 4-0 lead. Cincinnati responded with JJ Bleday’s tenth home run of the year, a solo shot that would turn out to be the closest the Reds would get to the Royals. KC added another two runs in the fifth with a home run from Jac Caglianone, while Michael Massey added a solo shot of his own in the seventh. The Royals also had RBIs from Vinnie Pasquantino and Nick Loftin, while Cincinnati added a late run in the ninth with a Matt McLain double. Thomas and Massey each went 3-for-5 to lead the Royals offense.
Luinder Avila recorded his first win of the year, going the minimum five innings in his start with one earned run on two hits and four walks, while striking out five. Lyon Richardson pitched just the first inning in the loss, with Thomas’ grand slam the only hit he allowed, as the Royals loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch. Brandon Leibrandt pitched six innings in relief for the Reds, ultimately allowing five runs on ten hits with three walks, striking out three.
The Royals are now 23-37, 10.5 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central. They’ll send Noah Cameron to the mound for the second game of the series Tuesday evening, with first pitch at 6:10 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on KMMO-FM 102.9.