Royals secure 3-0 victory over Nationals with strong bullpen effort
- Five Kansas City relievers combined for 6 2/3 innings of two-hit ball after Michael Lorenzen's early exit due to fatigue.
- Robbie Grossman and Michael Massey contributed key hits, leading to a 3-0 victory and helping the Royals maintain their wild card position.
- The Royals' bullpen extended their scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings, showcasing a strong turnaround after a seven-game losing streak.
On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Royals secured a 3-0 victory over the Washington Nationals, bolstered by a strong performance from their bullpen. After starter Michael Lorenzen exited the game due to lower body fatigue after just 2 1/3 innings, five relievers stepped up to pitch 6 2/3 innings of two-hit ball. Daniel Lynch IV, who has not allowed a run in his last ten relief appearances, played a crucial role in maintaining the shutout. Robbie Grossman contributed significantly with a two-run single, while Michael Massey added another run with a single off DJ Herz. This win marked the Royals' second consecutive shutout victory, a notable turnaround after a challenging seven-game losing streak. The Royals now share a record of 84-74 with the Detroit Tigers but hold the tiebreaker advantage for the second American League wild card spot. The bullpen's performance was particularly impressive, extending their scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings over four games, contributing to a franchise record of 26 consecutive scoreless innings by the pitching staff. Manager Matt Quatraro emphasized the importance of throwing strikes and challenging hitters, which proved effective against the Nationals. In the aftermath of the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez acknowledged his team's struggles and urged them to relax and focus on getting good pitches to hit. Meanwhile, the Royals made roster adjustments, optioning RHP Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha to accommodate Lorenzen's return from injury.