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After Button Adjustment, Royals Aim to Sew Up Series Sweep of A’s
Royals vs. Athletics: Going for the Sweep
Keep an eye on Vinnie Pasquantino’s jersey this Sunday as he and the Kansas City Royals aim to sweep the visiting Oakland Athletics in their three-game series. Pasquantino broke an 0-for-14 slump with an RBI single in the fifth inning of Kansas City’s 5-3 win on Saturday.
Quirky Turnaround for Pasquantino
What was the secret behind Pasquantino’s long-awaited hit?
“I think it’s because he was playing with the shirt unbuttoned before, and he buttoned it up on Saturday,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro joked after the game. “It looked more professional.”
Pasquantino, who went 1-for-4 on Saturday, credited Quatraro for the style advice.
“He told me pregame that it looked awful with the two buttons down,” Pasquantino said. “I said, ‘Yeah, OK.’ And then I got out my first two at-bats… And I thought, ‘Maybe he’s onto something.’ So I buttoned up and got a hit.”
He added with a smile, “It’s called good managing. Managers don’t get enough credit for moments like that — just spotting the little things within the game.”
So, will Kansas City’s first baseman stick with the more “professional” look?
“We’ll see,” he said with a grin.
Pitching Matchup: Sears vs. Singer
Pasquantino has never faced Oakland left-hander JP Sears (3-2, 3.96 ERA), who will make his first start against the Royals in his third MLB season. Sears threw a season-high 100 pitches in his most recent outing Tuesday against the Astros in Houston, allowing one run over five innings in the Athletics’ 2-1 loss in 10 innings.
The A’s have struggled offensively during their skid, averaging just 1.86 runs per game and never scoring more than four in any contest. However, Saturday showed some promise with Oakland collecting 11 hits, their most since May 8.
Athletics’ Offensive Struggles
Oakland’s Abraham Toro has been a bright spot, collecting two hits on Saturday for the second straight game, making him 4-for-8 with a walk and two runs in the series from the leadoff spot.
“That’s a good sign. We haven’t had a game like that in a little while,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “It’s unfortunate to be on the losing end, but seeing some better at-bats is encouraging.”
Despite Saturday’s offensive breakout, the A’s couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, stranding nine runners and going 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Oakland had a chance in the ninth, putting the first two batters on base, but Kansas City reliever James McArthur shut them down with a flyout and two strikeouts to end the game.
Kotsay noted the team’s struggles to string hits together.
“We’re an offense that can’t necessarily put an inning together with multiple hits,” he said. “We built some innings but just couldn’t capitalize.”
The A’s have scored four of their five runs in this series via homers while striking out 23 times.
Royals’ Outlook
The Royals’ right-hander Brady Singer (3-2, 2.84 ERA) will start on Sunday. Singer has had a tough time against Oakland in the past, with a 0-3 record and a 5.70 ERA in four career starts. He surrendered four runs on a season-high nine hits in Kansas City’s 6-2 road loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
Conclusion
The series finale between the Royals and Athletics is set to be an exciting matchup, with both teams eager for a win. The Royals hope to build on their quirky success inspired by Pasquantino’s buttoned-up jersey, while the Athletics aim to overcome their offensive struggles and make the most of their opportunities. Fans can expect a competitive and engaging game as the teams face off in Kansas City.
