Ryan McMahon’s offensive surge continued Friday night.
The third baseman belted his fifth home run in eight games and hit a go-ahead RBI single to help the Rockies snap a four-game losing streak by beating Kansas City, 7-2, on the road at Kauffman Stadium.
With the game tied at two in the eighth after left fielder Jurickson Profar’s fielder’s choice, McMahon stepped into the batter’s box with runners at the corners and one out. He knocked the ball to left field, driving home shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to take a 3-2 advantage.
“The battle with (Royals reliever) (Carlos) Hernandez was a good one,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He throws the ball 100 miles per hour and (McMahon) battled. That was a big at bat.”
Suddenly, the Rockies’ bats came alive. Catcher Elias Diaz belted a two-run double to center. Moments later, first baseman Nolan Jones’ hit deflected off Royals first baseman Nick Pratto’s glove and rolled into right field, driving two more runs in while Jones advanced to second for a double.
Just when the Rockies thought they could escape the night without any more drama, reliever Daniel Bard loaded the bases after walking two batters and allowing a single in the ninth. Manager Bud Black had to turn to right-hander Justin Lawrence to record the final out of the game, securing an impressive comeback win.
McMahon was feeling it early. His ninth home run of the season shot out of the ballpark like a bullet. Royals starting pitcher Jordan Lyles tried to beat McMahon with an inside cutter, but the Colorado veteran crushed the ball to right field to take a 1-0 lead.
“That’s what you’re supposed to do on a 3-1 count,” Black said. “When you are ahead in the count, you are suppose to get the bat head out and pull the ball and hit a homer if you have power. That’s what (McMahon) did.”
McMahon went 2 for 4 while increasing his RBI total to 13 during this eight-game stretch.
Lyles, who entered Friday with a 7.30 ERA, silenced the Rockies’ bats for most of the night. He struck out eight while allowing two hits and a walk in five innings before the bullpen ruined a strong outing.
The Royals’ pitching collectively totaled 12 strikeouts, but Colorado found a way to prevail.
“(Kansas City’s) pitching held us down but we hung in there,” Black said. “We put a really good inning together in the eighth.”
Rockies starter Chase Anderson was solid, but the two home runs allowed in the early innings proved costly. In the second, Anderson threw a hanging curveball and that Edward Olivares took advantage of, crushing the ball to left-center field to tie the game at one.
In the third, Royals center fielder Drew Waters smashed a go-ahead solo homer to take a 2-1 advantage.
Anderson managed to recover, keeping the Royals off the scoreboard for three straight innings, only allowing one hit during that stretch. He managed to get out of a sixth-inning jam. With Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. at first, Anderson forced designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino to hit an infield fly. After Tovar made the catch, he threw to first to double up Witt.
“I’m definitely happy with the performance and getting the team off on the right foot,” Anderson said. “Obviously, I wished I could have a couple of pitches back. But the defense played really good for me tonight.”
With the help of Colorado’s six-run outburst in the eighth, Anderson walked away with a no-decision after totaling two strikeouts, a pair of runs, four hits and a walk in six innings pitched. Rockies reliever Brent Suter earned the win after throwing two scoreless innings.
“The results were good,” Black said of Anderson’s performance. “What I saw was too many pitches up in the strike zone. But he buckled down.”
Saturday’s pitching matchup
Rockies Austin Gomber (4-4, 7.00) at Royals LHP Daniel Lynch (0-0, 3.38)
2:10 p.m. Friday, Kauffman Stadium
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Although Lynch’s last outing resulted in a no-decision, his performance on the mound in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals was admirable. The 26-year-old left hander recorded six strikeouts while allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in 5 ⅓ innings. Gomber is looking to bounce back from a rough start against the New York Mets on May 28, where he allowed six earned runs in four innings. Fortunately for the Rockies, they were able to hold off the Mets for a 11-10 win. Gomber has given up five or more runs in two of his last three starts.
Pitching probables
Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-6, 4.22) at Royals RHP Brady Singer (3-4, 7.12), 12:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rockies Dinelson Lamet (1-2, 13.17 ERA) vs. San Francisco Giants Alex Wood (1-1, 4.80 ERA)
