In Cincinnati, Dairon Blanco made a noteworthy impact on Saturday night’s game as the Kansas City Royals dominated the Cincinnati Reds with a score of 13-1. Blanco hit two home runs during the game, including his first career grand slam, and accumulated a total of seven RBIs. His exceptional performance shone brightly alongside Michael Wacha’s strong pitching efforts, as Wacha allowed only four hits and struck out nine batters over six shutout innings.
Blanco’s offensive contributions began early in the game when he hit a two-run home run on the first pitch he faced from Reds starter Nick Lodolo in the second inning. He then followed up with a grand slam in the third inning and added another RBI with a single in the fourth. Despite having only one home run and five RBIs this season prior to this game, Blanco’s dedication to his routine and preparation paid off significantly.
Manager Matt Quatraro expressed his delight at seeing Blanco, typically a utility player, excel in such a spectacular manner. He commended Blanco’s readiness and versatility whenever called upon, highlighting his impactful performance as truly special. Blanco revealed that his distinctive yellow bat, chosen with the help of his family, held sentimental value as it was his mother’s favorite color, making his achievements with it even more special.
The game proved to be a challenging one for Reds starter Lodolo, who struggled in the third inning, loading the bases and eventually giving up runs before being replaced by Buck Farmer. The Royals capitalized on Lodolo’s struggles and amassed a substantial lead, scoring seven runs in the third inning alone. Lodolo’s night ended after just 2 1/3 innings, conceding eight runs and eight hits to the opposition.
Bobby Witt Jr. continued to impress for the Royals, extending his hitting streak to six games with a double in the first inning. Although he finished the game 1 for 4, his remarkable season saw his batting average, leading in the majors, dip slightly to .351. Meanwhile, Jeimer Candelario managed to provide a bright spot for the Reds with a solo home run in the seventh inning.
Reds manager David Bell acknowledged the team’s subpar performance, attributing the loss to the Royals’ superior play. Despite the defeat, Bell emphasized that the Reds had a lot at stake and would continue to strive for better outcomes in future games.
In injury news, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow soreness, with an MRI scheduled in the coming days to assess the extent of his injury. Looking ahead, lefty Andrew Abbott of the Reds is set to face off against Royals right-hander Brady Singer in the series finale on Sunday. The upcoming game promises to be an exciting matchup between the two teams as they battle it out on the baseball diamond.