Royals hold off Tigers to win 3-2

The Royals beat the Tigers, 3-2.

Adalberto Mondesi opened up with a home run. He has hit 12 of them this year. Remember when it took until mid-August to give him the everyday shortstop job over the then-worst everyday player in baseball?

Speaking of Alcides Escobar, he’s been a lot better in the second half this year. Similar to what he did last year, he’s padded his stats with some late-season hitting surges. He went 2-for-4 today to get his average all the way up to .226. He’s no longer on pace to set the record for the worst OPS in baseball in the last 25 years.

Brad Keller spotted the Tigers a run in the fourth, the only one he gave up in the game, on a Nick Castellanos sac fly. Overall, Keller was spectacular, getting through seven innings and giving up just three hits. He only struck out two batters, but he used his defense to get the job done. Alex Gordon and Mondesi each made notable defensive catches that saved base hits that come to mind.

Keller, who earned the win to improve to 9-6, saw his ERA drop to 3.08. He is a top-three candidate for AL Rookie of the Year.

With the contest still tied 1-1 in the sixth, Cam Gallagher got some good fortune when he blooped an RBI hit into left, plating Escobar and Rosell Herrera to give Kansas City a 3-1 lead.

In the ninth, the Tigers made it interesting by getting a run and putting two men on with two outs, but Wily Peralta ultimately slammed the door. He has 13 saves in 13 chances, which is kind of amazing, but it’s been efficient.

The Royals are 54-102. They have two more road games this year - after tomorrow’s day off, they play two in Cincinnati before coming home for the final four games of the year.

Also, Patrick Mahomes is a god.