Royals 3-0 Nationals (September 25, 2024) Match Report

WASHINGTON – Five Kansas City relievers threw 6 2/3 innings of two-hit strikes after starter Michael Lorenzen left early, Robbie Grossman hit a two-run single and the Royals defended their second American League wild card with a 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

“Throwing strikes,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “We know that’s a big key to challenging hitters. They’ve got good stuff. They know that.”

Michael Massey hit a run against DJ Herz (4-9), helping the Royals to their second consecutive clean sheet win after losing seven games in a row the previous season.

Kansas City and Detroit are both 84-74, but the Royals have the edge in head-to-head play and are in a tiebreaker for the second wild-card spot over the Tigers. The Tigers beat the Rays 7-1 on Wednesday night.

Daniel Lynch IV (2-0) pitched 2 2/3 scoreless frames as a replacement for Lorenzen, who left 2 1/3 innings with lower-body fatigue in his first start since straining his left thigh on Aug. 27.

Lynch has not allowed a single run in 10 relief appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on August 26.

“Since he’s been back on the court, he’s been throwing the ball exceptionally well. And that was a big part of it tonight,” Quatraro said.

Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber and Sam Long closed the gap to Lucas Erceg, who made his 13th save. The performance extended the Kansas City bullpen’s scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings through four games and the pitching staff’s scoreless streak to a franchise-record 26 innings.

“If it’s Zerpa, Schrieber, Long and Erceg, they’re pretty nasty guys,” Lynch said. “I think if the guys just keep going and do their job, it’s easier.”

James Wood and Nasim Nuñez scored the only goals for Washington, which suffered its third consecutive shutout and has lost eight of its last nine games.

“I think they’re definitely putting pressure on us,” Nats manager Dave Martinez said. “We’ve just got to go out there tomorrow and relax and find a good pitch to hit.”

Lorenzen got through the first two innings without any problems, but was forced out in the third inning after a brief visit from the medical team with a batter out. He threw 28 pitches, struck out two and officially issued two walks, the latter coming in the at-bat that Lynch completed.

TRAINING ROOM

Royals: Kansas City sent RHP Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lorenzen.

Nationals: Manager Dave Martinez confirmed that All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has reported to the club’s complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, as scheduled and will practice there through Sunday. Abrams was demoted from the major league team on Saturday for what was reportedly an internal matter. NEXT

Left-hander Patrick Corbin (6-13, 5.58 ERA) will likely pitch his final game for the Washington Nationals on Thursday. He is the last remaining active Nationals player who was on the team that won the 2019 World Series. His six-year, $140 million contract expires at the end of the season. RHP Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.28) plays for Kansas City.

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This story has been changed to correct that Robbie Grossman hit a two-run single, not a two-run double.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb