Ty France delivered a two-run single to center field during the 10th inning, enabling the Seattle Mariners to recover from surrendering a seven-run advantage and secure a 10-8 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Eugenio Suárez, Ty France, Teoscar Hernández, and Josh Rojas each homered in a seven-run fourth inning against Jordan Lyles, marking the Mariners’ first instance of four home runs in an inning since May 2, 2002, against the Chicago White Sox. Suárez and France combined efforts to achieve Seattle’s sixth set of back-to-back home runs this season, propelling the Mariners to a 7-0 lead.
Teoscar Hernández matched his personal best with five hits, driving in three runs.
Hernández commented, “I felt very confident today. My swing and timing are currently in good shape. What matters most to me is that I’m making solid contact consistently.”
Ty France notched four hits and three RBIs. Despite being outhit 15-14 by Kansas City, the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. initiated a resurgence with a grand slam in the fifth inning, his second within an 18-day span.
“We believed we had control of the game, but we left the door open for them,” stated Seattle manager Scott Servais. “They delivered some critical hits. We were unable to put a stop to their momentum.”
Kansas City (39-82) secured its seventh consecutive losing season, following their triumph in the 2015 World Series. Over the past three decades, the Royals have recorded merely five winning seasons.
Seattle, having faced three consecutive losses in games they either led or were tied in the ninth inning, was leading 8-5 by the end of the eighth.
Nelson Velázquez grounded out to Rojas to initiate the ninth inning, but reached base due to an errant throw to first base by the second baseman. This led to three unearned runs against Andrés Muñoz (3-5), who, during his 42-pitch performance, experienced his second blown save out of eight opportunities. Michael Massey contributed a two-run single, while Salvador Perez managed an RBI single.
Matt Quatraro, manager of Kansas City, stated, “These players never give up. They faced some quality pitchers and managed a comeback. The ninth inning provided an exciting spectacle.”
Ty France’s single off Tucker Davidson (1-2) elevated his batting average at Kauffman Stadium to .532 (17 for 32).
“I was anticipating a slider,” France noted. “I had analyzed his approach against batters in that inning. I anticipated receiving a slider, and I was determined not to miss it.”
Tayler Saucedo achieved three consecutive outs to secure his inaugural major league save.
Lyles allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, along with nine hits across five innings. Seattle’s Emerson Hancock, in his second career start, surrendered five runs and nine hits over a span of five innings.
Maikel Garcia extended his rookie-record hitting streak with the Royals to 17 games, starting with a blooper single in the opening inning.
COMING UP
Seattle’s right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo (8-7, 3.14 ERA) will take the mound on Wednesday night.
On Tuesday afternoon, right-handed pitcher Taylor Clarke, who has been sidelined due to right elbow inflammation, took a positive step in his recovery. Clarke conducted a live batting practice session, facing Royals hitters at Kauffman Stadium. The session consisted of approximately 25 pitches, and Clarke expressed satisfaction with his performance. Despite being on the injured list since August 3rd, Clarke has maintained his ability to engage in catch activities during his rehabilitation process. The next phase of his recovery entails gradually increasing the intensity of his workouts.
Clarke is eligible to return from the injured list on Thursday. Manager Matt Quatraro expressed optimism about Clarke’s progress, stating that he appeared in good form during the live batting practice session. The team will assess how Clarke feels the following day, with the hope that he will continue to experience positive developments. If Clarke’s condition remains favorable, he could be on track for a return to active play.
Nolan Arenado and Jordan Walker launched home runs during the opening inning as the St. Louis Cardinals secured a 6-2 triumph over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.
Arenado compiled four hits, and Tommy Edman also contributed a home run for the Cardinals, who, despite occupying the last position, have emerged victorious in five out of their last six games.
Lawrence Butler marked his inaugural major league home run for Oakland, which has now suffered a five-game losing streak overall, along with a nine-game losing streak on the road. The A’s (33-87) dropped to 54 games below a .500 win-loss record for the first time since concluding the 1979 season with a 54-108 record.
Dakota Hudson (4-0) clinched his third consecutive victory, conceding two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings.
“I’m not overthinking, just playing catch out there,” Hudson stated.
This marks Hudson’s first instance of securing three consecutive wins since August 31 to September 12, 2020.
“I don’t want to attribute it all to mentality, but a decent amount of it is,” commented Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “He’s attacking the zone.”
Arenado launched a two-run homer in the first inning off Spenser Watkins (0-1), reaching his team-leading 25th home run and advancing the score to 3-0. Three batters later, Walker contributed his 11th home run.
Arenado’s achievement established him as the tenth third baseman in major league history to achieve 25 home runs in eight or more seasons.
“I take a lot of pride in it,” expressed Arenado. “I believe when I’m out on the field, I can put up numbers.”
Arenado elevated his batting average to .289.
“He’s a nice example for a guy like me to look up to,” commented St. Louis outfielder Lars Nootbaar. “A (future) Hall of Famer and he’s still getting after it day after day. Being able to watch a guy like that work is very important.”
Arenado is the seventh St. Louis player to accumulate 25 or more home runs in three successive seasons.
St. Louis has tallied five or more runs in each of their previous six games.
“Our approaches have been very good,” Marmol acknowledged.
Butler, during his 18th career at-bat, launched a lengthy drive over the right field wall during the seventh inning.
“I feel like I can make the adjustments pretty fast,” Butler remarked. “Just keep working every day.”
In the third inning, Oakland outfielder Esteury Ruiz stole his 47th base of the season, thus extending the franchise rookie record.
INJURY REPORT
Athletics: Right-handed pitcher Angel Felipe was designated for the 15-day injured list due to a right elbow strain. He conceded three runs on three hits to St. Louis while registering one out in Monday night’s 7-5 defeat.
Cardinals: Infielder Nolan Gorman missed his second consecutive game due to tightness in his lower back. Catcher Willson Contreras was sidelined due to hip tightness incurred while running the bases in the third inning of Monday night’s game.
UPCOMING
St. Louis left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore (2-4, 5.72 ERA) will confront Oakland right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn (2-3, 4.52 ERA) as the Cardinals strive for a three-game sweep on Wednesday.
MLB scoreboard for Tuesday, August 15, 2023:
Interleague:
- Cleveland 3, Cincinnati 0
- Houston 6, Miami 5
- Boston 5, Washington 4
- Toronto 2, Philadephia 1
- Atlanta 5, NY Yankees 0
- St. Louis 6, Oakland 2
- Chi White Sox 5, Chi Cubs 3
- San Diego 10, Baltimore 3
- San Francisco 7, Tampa Bay 0
American League:
- Minnesota 5, Detroit 3
- Texas 7, LA Angels 3
- Seattle 10, Kansas City 8 (10 innings)
National League:
- Pittsburgh 7, NY Mets 4
- Arizona 8, Colorado 5
- LA Dodgers 6, Milwaukee 2
