KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals faced perhaps their biggest challenge of the 2024 campaign this weekend.A four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians.The American League Central rivals entered as surprise contenders. The Guardians built themselves into one of the best teams in baseball, while the Royals have exceeded early expectations after losing a franchise-record 106 games last season.Both teams knew the magnitude of their weekend clash. But it was the Royals, who have slumped in June, who took care of business at home: Their 6-2 win Sunday secured a pivotal series victory.The Royals improved to 47-39 after winning three of the four games. Additionally, KC shaved three games off the Guardians’ divisional lead: Cleveland now leads Royals by seven games in the AL Central.Royals starter Seth Lugo set the tone Sunday. He pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10. The Guardians managed just four hits against Lugo and had just one baserunner reach second base while he was in the game.Lugo leaned on his wealth of secondary pitches. He turned to his curveball, changeup and slurve to help balance his fastball. He neutralized the Guardians’ lineup by pounding the strike zone aggressively.In his start, Lugo threw 66-of-93 pitches for strikes. The Royals made sure to support him with ample early runs.Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI triple in the fifth inning. Later, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who finished 3 for 4, added an RBI single of his own.From there, Royals captain Salvador Perez put the icing on the cake. He blasted a two-run homer over the left-field wall against Guardians reliever Pedro Avila.Lugo picked up his MLBleading 11th win. His 2.17 ERA leads the major leagues.The Guardians fell to 52-30 overall. KC has won four of six head-to-head matchups against them this season.Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game: Vinnie Pasquantino extends RBI streak There is something to be said for a little bit of home cooking … and Pasquantino has found himself getting pretty full.Pasquantino continued his home RBI streak against the Guardians on Sunday. He now has nine consecutive games with at least one RBI at Kauffman Stadium.In the fifth inning, Pasquantino hit an RBI single against Guardians reliever Eli Morgan. He served the base hit into right field as Witt scored from third base.It was his 42nd home RBI this season. And Pasquantino is tied for the third-longest home RBI streak ...
