KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer struck out five in the first two innings of Friday night’s game against Atlanta at Kauffman Stadium.
Unfortunately for Singer, he faced 15 batters in that span.
The Braves pounded out nine hits, including three home runs, and scored seven times in the first two frames. From there, Atlanta cruised to a 10-3 victory.
It was a feast-or-famine night for the Braves batters. In those first two innings, every ball put in play had an exit velocity of at least 98.7 mph.
Singer’s final line in five innings — eight runs and four home runs allowed with eight strikeouts — was a rarity in Major League Baseball history. According to research by Craig Brown of the Into The Fountains Substack, it had happened just three times before Friday night.
The others to do it were Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo against St. Louis (Sept. 1, 2011), the Angels’ Mike Witt against Cleveland (Oct. 4, 1987) and Oakland’s Mike Norris against Milwaukee (Sept. 26, 1980).
The “softest” exit velocity for the Braves' hitters in Singer’s five innings of work was Eddie Rosario’s 91.1-mph fly ball to right field. Nine balls put in play had an exit velocity of more than 100 mph.
Here’s a look back at Friday’s game...
Significant moment
The Royals (4-10) trailed 8-2 in the fifth inning but loaded the bases with one out. Kyle Isbel was then hit by a pitch, scoring a run. Edward Olivares stepped to the plate with a chance to put a dent in the deficit.
Instead he grounded sharply to Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley, who started a 5-3 double play that ended the threat.
Acuña’s bomb
After the Royals’ rally fizzled, Braves superstar Ronald Acuña blasted a 438-foot, two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning that made it 10-3.
Acuña drew some boos for his home run trot.
Witt stays hot
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had his second straight three-hit game on Friday, and he’s batting .529 (9 for 17) in the Royals’ last four games.
What’s next
The Royals will face Atlanta two more times. Kris Bubic gets the start Saturday, facing Bryce Elder. On Sunday, Zack Greinke starts for the Royals against Kyle Wright.
