A three-game losing streak put the Kansas City's postseason hopes in grave jeopardy, so the Royals were in the mood to celebrate after rallying for a 4-3 road win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.
The teams will wrap up their four-game series on Thursday when Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (10-5, 3.17 ERA) takes on Royals righty Stephen Kolek (5-5, 3.88).
"It's very easy to allow the outside noise to affect you, so you have to stay away from it," Kansas City reliever Lucas Erceg said. "But we all know what's going on. We understand the standings. We know the clock is winding down on the season."
The Guardians (74-71) and Royals (74-72) are 3 1/2 and four games back of the Seattle Mariners, respectively, for the final American League wild-card position. Further complicating their task are the Texas Rangers, who are 1 1/2 games behind the Mariners.
"Can we control our controllables?" Royals manager Matt Quatraro asked. "That's what we're trying to do to keep it simple around here."
It's likely the good vibrations -- and the aroma of alcoholic beverages -- will still be in the visiting clubhouse when the Royals arrive at the ballpark on Thursday.
Rookie Luinder Avila picked up his first major league win with two scoreless innings of relief, earning him the traditional trip to the shower in a laundry cart while his Royals teammates doused him with any liquids they could find.
"We all love a beer shower," Erceg said, laughing. "Especially in this case because Luinder is easy to root for. He's come up here and done his job and is a good guy. We're all happy for him."
Kolek was acquired with fellow pitcher Ryan Bergert in a July 31 trade that sent backup catcher Freddy Fermin to the San Diego Padres. He has made two starts with Kansas City, going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA.
Kolek has only made one career appearance against the Guardians, when he gave up four runs on four hits without recording an out in relief for San Diego on July 19, 2024.
Williams has been Cleveland's best pitcher throughout the summer, achieving his much-touted potential in his third year in the majors. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder is 5-1 with a 2.24 ERA in his past 11 outings, with 64 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.
In seven career starts against the Royals, the "Big Rig" is 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA. He has no decisions and a 3.27 ERA in two outings vs. Kansas City this year.
The Guardians' five-game win streak came to an end on Wednesday after Kansas City scored two runs in the seventh inning, both charged to Tim Herrin. The beleaguered left-hander got only one out, blowing a 3-2 lead on RBI hits by Nick Loftin and Maikel Garcia.
Herrin had the fifth-lowest ERA among AL relievers last season at 1.92, but has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus twice and possesses a 6.98 ERA at home. Manager Stephen Vogt defended his usage in high-leverage situations.
"Tim Herrin has been one of our best bullpen guys for the last year and a half," Vogt said. "It just felt right that was Timmy's pocket to pitch tonight."
Cleveland second baseman Brayan Rocchio also was demoted to Triple-A this year, heading to Columbus after batting .165 in 35 games through May 7. However, he has looked like a different player since his July 1 recall, batting .276 in 63 games.
Rocchio was the starting shortstop on Cleveland's team that reached the 2024 AL Championship Series, and he hasn't given up his goal of a return trip.
"It's kind of like playoff baseball at this point," Rocchio said. "You've got to focus on winning every single game and it's difficult when you lose, but also it gets you a little more confidence when you keep winning. It's all about staying calm and bouncing back."
--Field Level Media
