Royals overcome seven-run first for an incredible 10-9 comeback win

The Royals found themselves down 7-0 before they ever got to bat, but staged an epic comeback with three runs in the ninth to defeat the Mariners 10-9 on Friday night.

Daniel Lynch IV had looked pretty good in his first three games at the big league level this year, including an emergency spot start last week where he got to the ballpark just a few hours before he pitched. But he looked unprepared for the Mariners lineup tonight from the get-go, allowing seven first-inning runs. He hit two of the first three batters he faced, walked one, and gave up four hits, including the first career home run for rookie Ryan Bliss.

Lynch stayed in the game and settled down a bit, although he gave up another run in the fourth on an RBI double by Ty France to make it 8-0. The lefty exited after four innings, having allowed eight runs on six hits and four walks, lifting his ERA to 5.63.

The Royals began chipping away at the big lead in the bottom of the inning. An infield single by Nelson Velázquez scored Bobby Witt Jr. to put the Royals on the board, while also advancing Vinnie Pasquantino to third. MJ Melendez brought them all home with a three-run home run, his second home run in his last six games and his sixth of the season.

Chris Stratton gave up a run in the sixth to make it 9-4 Mariners, but the Royals chipped away some more in the bottom of the inning. Vinnie Pasquantino led off with a single, then Salvador Perez walked, ending Bryce Miller’s night. Tayler Saucedo walked Velázquez to load the bases, and the Royals scored on an MJ Melendez ground out. Hunter Renfroe plated two more on a bloop single to center to make it 9-7.

Will Klein and Nick Anderson gave the Royals some solid relief innings to keep the Royals in the ballgame, setting up a dramatic ninth inning. The Mariners brought in Kansas City native Ryne Stanek to try to secure the win, but he walked Nick Loftin to lead off the inning. Garrett Hampson hit a slow roller that Josh Rojas threw away, to put runners at second and third with no outs. Maikel Garcia grounded out to score a run and make it a one-run game. That brought up Bobby Witt Jr., and the young phenom did not disappoint, pulling a ball down the left field line to score Hampson, hustling around the bases to make it to third for a triple.

The Mariners elected to intentionally walk Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez to load the bases. Velázquez has been the late game hero this season for the Royals, and he continued that tonight. He laced a grounder up the middle that shortstop J.P. Crawford dove for and bobbled. He was still able to get the force out at second, but Velázquez beat the throw at first, allowing Witt to score the game winning run.

Wheee!!!!!!

The Royals showed no quit tonight, keeping up the attitude they have shown much of the year. They improve to 38-26 and can take the series tomorrow afternoon at 3:10 CT when Alec Marsh takes on Luis Castillo.