By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Michael Lorenzen exited in the fifth inning after giving up three runs as the Kansas City Royals fell to the San Fransisco Giants 3-2 in the middle game of a three game series at Oracle Park.
It was Kansas City that had the lead in the game first however, scoring in the third inning. Drew Waters singled and moved all the way to third base, first on a throwing error by pitcher Hayden Birdsong and then a wild pitch, before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Isbel.
In the bottom of the fourth, after Lorenzen hit Heliot Ramos with a pitch, Willy Adames tripled driving in Ramos to tie the game, and then scored to give the Giants the lead on a single by Casey Schmitt. San Fransisco extended the lead in the fifth, just before Lorenzen was pulled, Jung Ho Lee singling home Mike Yastrzemski who singled to open the inning.
In the top of the eighth inning, Hunter Renfroe doubled, and was driven in on by Bobby Witt Jr with a single. Witt Jr was caught trying to steal second base and Vinnie Pasquantino struck out to end the inning. The Royals went 1-2-3 in the ninth against Giants closer Ryan Walker who earned his ninth save.
With the loss, Lorenzen fell to 3-5 on the season, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings, giving up all three runs, two earned, on seven hits, striking out five and walking one. Maikel Garcia led the way at the plate, going 2-4, as the Royals had seven hits in the game.
Kansas City and San Fransisco wrap up their series tomorrow. With the injury to Cole Ragans, the Royals starter is currently listed as TBD, while the Giants will send Logan Webb (5-3, 2.42 ERA) to the mound for the finale. First pitch is at 2:45pm, pregame coverage will begin at 2 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
