By MATT PIKE
Putting a rough June behind them, the Kansas City Royals got July off to a good start with some better luck, beating the Seattle Mariners 6-3 at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday night and evening up the series heading into game three on Wednesday.
After Jonathan India led off the game with a double, the Royals opened the scoring in the first inning as Maikel Garcia singled him home. Kansas City extended the lead in the second inning following Jac Caglianone's leadoff walk, Nick Loftin's RBI double driving in the Royals top prospect, before Loftin scored as Kyle Isbel grounded into a forceout. Seattle did cut into the lead in the bottom of the second inning, as Randy Arozarena hit a solo home run, after hitting two home runs in Monday's series opener.
In the fifth inning, the Royals again added to their lead. With Bobby Witt Jr and Vinnie Pasquantino on base, Salvador Perez hit a blast to right center field, which looked like it might have been a three run home run, but stayed in play for a two RBI double by the Kansas City captain. With the double, Perez passed Alex Gordon for the sixth most hits in Royals history.
The Mariners cut back into the lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring their final two runs. Ben Williamson doubled home Luke Raley who had doubled himself to open the inning. Williamson later scored on a single by J.P Crawford. Kansas City added a final run of insurance in the ninth inning, Perez singling home Witt Jr who doubled earlier in the inning. Carlos Estévez came on in the ninth to close things out, earning his 23rd save for the Royals.
Lucas Erceg earned the win in relief for Kansas City, improving to 3-2, pitching one clean inning. Royals starter Michael Lorenzen in a no decision pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up three runs on six hits, striking out five. At the plate, Perez was 3-for-5 with three RBI's. Witt Jr was 2-for-5 batting with a stolen base and two runs scored.
With the series split, Kansas City looks to take game three against Seattle tomorrow. Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.79 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.55 ERA) for the Mariners. First pitch is again at 8:40pm, pregame coverage starts at 8 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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