Blanco turns in career day as Royals pummel Reds

*Photo from KSHB*

   Vinnie Pasquantino doubled in a run, Dairon Blanco homered twice and drove in 7, and the Kansas City Royals pummeled the Cincinnati Reds with a 13-1 victory Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati.

   The Royals have now won 3 straight games on the back of a dominant offense, having outscored opponents 24-3 over those 3 games, including 20-2 over the Reds in the first two games of the series. Blanco's 3 hit, two home run, 7 RBI career day at the plate was the driving force this time.

   Pasquantino, the Royals first baseman, said of Blanco's day "He was incredible. What he did tonight was unbelievably impressive for a guy in the role that he’s in. To step in tonight and do that is crazy impressive. He won us the game tonight."

   Salvador Perez got the Royals on the board in the first inning when his fly out scored Maikel Garcia. In the second inning, Blanco made it a 3-0 lead when he belted a two run home run to center field. In the 3rd, Pasquantino scored on a bases loaded walk and Paul DeJong scored Perez with a single to make it 5-0.

   Blanco added on later in the inning, belting a grand slam to the outfield seats in left, breaking the game open and making it a 9-0 score. Pasquantino then drove in Bobby Witt Jr with a double to make it 10-0. In the 4th, an RBI single by Blanco and a sac fly from Maikel Garcia made it 12-0. Pasquantino scored on an error in the 5th to make it 13-0. Jeimer Candelario ended the shutout bid in the 7th with a solo home run to make it a 13-1 game.

   Michael Wacha delivered 6 shutout innings on the mound for the Royals, striking out 9 hitters. Angel Zerpa pitched the 7th and allowed the only Reds run of the day. Chris Stratton worked a scoreless 8th before Carlos Hernandez did the same in the 9th.

   Starting for the Reds was Nick Lodolo, who allowed 8 runs on 8 hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Buck Farmer and Sam Moll each gave up two runs while Tony Santillan allowed one. Relievers Emilio Pagan, Alexis Diaz, and Jakob Junis along with catcher Luke Maile each had a scoreless inning on the mound.

   Lodolo said of his poor start "We’re in position to do something, stay in the hunt. I didn’t give us a chance to do that tonight. I’ve got to be that guy, to go out there and win the game. I know I can do that. I’ve proven I can do that."

   The series finale is all set for Sunday afternoon. The Royals go for the series sweep as Brady Singer takes the mound, while Andrew Abbott starts for the Reds as they try to salvage the series finale.