Early Struggles
The game started off rocky for our beloved Royals. In the top of the 1st inning, the Diamondbacks managed to score three runs. Despite Corbin Carroll getting things going for Arizona, it was Gabriel Moreno's single to center that really hurt, driving in two more runs. We were down 3-0 before we even got a chance to bat.
Witt Jr. Shines Early
The bottom of the 1st saw a glimmer of hope when Garrett Hampson singled to left, and Bobby Witt Jr. followed up with a double to left, allowing Hampson to score. A quick reply brought our score to 3-1. Witt Jr. even managed to steal third, but we couldn't capitalize further. Our hopes were high, but the Diamondbacks' defense held firm.
Pitching Settles In
Our pitchers found their groove as the game progressed. In the top of the 2nd, McCarthy, Perdomo, and Carroll were all retired without any further damage. Angel Zerpa and Colin McArthur also executed well, keeping the Diamondbacks in check for much of the game. It felt like we might stage a comeback.
Missed Opportunities
Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the bats going when it mattered. The bottom of the 2nd was a quick inning for Arizona as our boys flied out repeatedly. Even though Vinnie Pasquantino fouled out and Salvador Perez struck out swinging, there seemed to be potential every inning. Yet, the Diamondbacks' pitchers kept us at bay.
Diamondbacks Extend Lead
Things took a turn for the worse in the 5th inning when Ketel Marte homered to right, bringing in Perdomo. This pushed the score to 5-1, further distancing Arizona from us. Any momentum we had seemed to dissipate at that moment.
Late Efforts Not Enough
Despite Pasquantino's walk and Perez striking out looking in the 6th, there wasn't much happening for us until the 9th. In the bottom of the 9th, Pasquantino doubled to right and Perez singled to center, allowing Pasquantino to score. We managed to notch another run on the board, but it was too little too late. The final score stood at 6-2.
Final Thoughts
It was a tough game for our Royals. Despite early promise and solid efforts from our pitchers, we couldn't overcome the Diamondbacks' early lead. There were flashes of brilliance, like Bobby Witt Jr.'s performance and our late efforts in the 9th, but consistency was our enemy today. Time to regroup and come back stronger next game!
Go Royals!Scoreboard for Diamondbacks @ Royals (July 24th, 2024)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 |