Vinnie Pasquantino emerged from an early-season slump with a home run and a career-best five RBIs, propelling the Kansas City Royals to an 11-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to six games.
Pasquantino, who entered the game with a 4-for-37 record and no RBIs, went 3 for 3 with a single, double, homer, and a walk, scoring two runs.
The Royals surged with seven runs in the third inning, sparked by Pasquantino’s two-run double. This marked the first time since 2000 that Kansas City has had multiple innings of seven or more runs in April.
Seth Lugo (2-0) delivered a strong performance, allowing two runs and seven hits over six innings. It marked the Royals’ ninth quality start in 12 games, the most in the majors.
In his big league debut, Spencer Arrighetti (0-1) navigated through early trouble before surrendering seven runs in the third inning. Reflecting on his debut, Arrighetti admitted to battling nerves and emotions.
The Astros managed to score two runs in the fourth inning, but Pasquantino responded with his first homer of the season in the bottom of the inning, adding a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He finished with four RBIs.
The Royals’ winning streak is their longest since September, and they aim to complete a 7-0 homestand in Thursday’s finale.
In Thursday afternoon action, the Astros will send RHP Hunter Brown (0-1, 6.43 ERA) to face RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 0.68).
Here is the MLB scoreboard from Wednesday, April 10, 2024:
American League:
Seattle Mariners 6, Toronto Blue Jays 1
Tampa Bay Rays 4, Los Angeles Angels 2
Cleveland Guardians 7, Chicago White Sox 6
Baltimore Orioles 7, Boston Red Sox 5
Texas Rangers 6, Oakland Athletics 2
National League:
Philadelphia Phillies 4, St. Louis Cardinals 3
Arizona Diamondbacks 5, Colorado Rockies 3
San Francisco Giants 7, Washington Nationals 1
Milwaukee Brewers 7, Cincinnati Reds 2
San Diego Padres 10, Chicago Cubs 2
Interleague:
Minnesota Twins 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 2
Miami Marlins 5, New York Yankees 2