Reds score four in extras, beat the Royals 5-1

In a game that was expected to be a run scoring affair based off the pitching matchup, the baseball gods baseballed us. Ian Kennedy and Sal Romano each dazzled against subpar lineups.

Kennedy struggled with some base runners early in this one, loading the bases with one out in the top of the second. Jose Peraza then hit a shallow fly ball to the centerfielder Abraham Almonte, who made a perfect throw to nab Scooter Gennett at home, preventing any damage.

The Royals got on the board first with Hunter Dozier demolishing a Sal Romano pitch into left-center field.

Nothing else to report on the hitting side before inning number nine. Ian Kennedy negated the lack of offense, turning in perhaps his best start of 2018, going eight scoreless with five strikeouts.

Kelvin Herrera did what Kennedy did not, allowing a run, his third of the year, on a home run against the first batter he face. He then walked two more batters than he had all season, but worked around them to keep the game tied.

The Royals got their leadoff man on in the ninth, but didn’t move him at all. Kevin McCarthy followed that up by allowing four hits and four runs in the first extra inning. There was a little controversy in the middle of that though, with Billy Hamilton seemingly stepping out of the base path to avoid an Alcides Escobar tag, setting up a bases-clearing triple.

The Royals couldn’t muster up anything against Reds reliever Amir Garrett, with Ryan Goins lining out, Alcides Escobar grounding out, and Abraham Almonte also grounding out.

The Royals finish up this short series tomorrow. Jason Hammel will face Reds righty Tyler Mahle.