How one ‘angry fastball’ played a huge part in the Royals’ hulking win vs. Guardians

The Kansas City Royals spent this entire week’s homestand finding creative ways to win with their offense in a slump.

So it was cathartic — for a night — when KC’s young hitters reestablished some of their earlier-season sizzle in a 10-3 home victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

“I think we were due to bust out a little bit, all around the lineup,” Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel said. “It was super-good today — everyone good at-bats, competitive all night. It was fun to watch.”

It all took place on a celebratory night. The Royals inducted former general managers Cedric Tallis and John Schuerholz into the team’s hall of fame, honoring them during a pregame ceremony.

As for the game, start with this: It was a significant win in a critical series. The Royals took down the first-place Guardians for the second time in two days, ensuring, at worst, they’ll get a split in this four-game set.

“That’s a great team over there,” Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe said, “and we put it to them a little bit.”

KC, at 46-38, also continued its swift recovery after a disappointing road trip. The Royals improved to 4-1 on their current homestand, moving themselves back into an AL Wild Card spot if the season ended today.

They got there Friday with some pop, which included four home runs.

How it happened

Salvador Perez continued his recent reawakening following a previous June swoon, yanking a second-inning pitch from Triston McKenzie halfway up the lawn in left for a 447-yard shot.

“He left a pitch out over the plate,” Perez said, “and I hit it pretty good.”

Renfroe made it back-to-back blasts, going opposite field into the right-field bleachers to give KC a 2-1 lead.

The Royals only added on from there.

Vinnie Pasquantino, Perez and MJ Melendez added RBI singles in the third. Then, in the fourth, Isbel slugged a 1-2 pitch below the strike zone, golfing it just over the wall in right for his sixth home run of the season.

That outcome was part of an in-game adjustment, as Isbel said he shifted up in the batter’s box while hoping to hit Pedro Avila’s hard-breaking changeup before it dipped too low.

Pasquantino finished the fireworks display in the eighth, hitting a towering shot into the Royals’ bullpen to give KC its final margin.

The Royals’ 10 runs matched their highest total in June.

“Sometimes it’s opening the valve a little bit and taking some pressure off. And just relaxing and letting it come to you,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the team working out of its recent offensive funk. “But overall, the work is great. The effort, the attention is great. So they should be happy with this (tonight).”

Royals’ Alec Marsh hulks up, too

Royals starter Alec Marsh also muscled up in a crucial moment to make up for his only mistake.

Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez picked on a Marsh middle-middle slider in the first, slugging it deep into the right-field bleachers for a solo shot.

Marsh made sure Ramirez didn’t come through again. With two on and two out in the third, Marsh reared back for a 98 mph heater, whirring it by Ramirez for a swinging strikeout.

“That was just an angry fastball,” Marsh said with a smile afterward.

It was delivered with some conviction, too. Marsh knew coming in he’d struggled against Ramirez, while even having pregame talks about drastic changes like switching his place on the rubber against him.

In the end, Marsh decided his best action was to rocket the ball by him, saying, “Sometimes, you’ve gotta get creative.”

The 98.0 mph pitch, according to Statcast, was the second-fastest of Marsh’s career.

“Just trying to surprise him with a fastball, because he’s probably thinking I’m not gonna throw him one because he’s so good on them,” Marsh said. “So I just gave him my best one.”

Marsh continued a recent stretch of stellar Royals starting pitching. He went six innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts.

“It’s good to keep things rolling, especially against this team,” Marsh said. “We want to be at the top spot, too. It’s good to see us taking it to them tonight.”

Missed previous Royals coverage?

• Triples key for Royals in Game 1 win vs. Guardians

• Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. signs deal with Whataburger

Up next for the KC Royals

The Royals continue their four-game home series against the Guardians. On Saturday, KC ace Cole Ragans will face Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee for a 3:10 p.m. game at Kauffman Stadium.

Before the game, the Royals will honor Bo Jackson, who is being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.