By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals made Clay Holmes' debut with the Chicago Cubs a forgettable affair and Jac Calgianone helped to power the Royals to a 6-3 victory at Kauffman Stadium, evening up the three game series.
Caglianone finished 4-for-4, powering out two home runs, doubling twice, and driving in four runs in the game. Josh Rojas also drove in a pair of runs, which helped Kansas City build an early lead in the game against the Cubs on way to the victory. Caglianone started the scoring in the first inning, with two outs, hitting his first home run of the game, a solo home run to center field.
Rojas extended the lead in the bottom of the second with runners on second and third after a sacrifice but from Nick Loftin. Rojas's two RBI single, his lone hit of the day drove in Michael Massey and John Rave to extend the lead to 3-0 for the Royals. In the bottom of the third, Kansas City scored again on Caglainone's second hit of the game, an RBI double scoring Bobby Witt Jr.
Royals starter Seth Lugo started to run into trouble through the next three innings, as the lead would end up cut to one by the end of the sixth inning. In the fourth, with two outs a two RBI double from Carson Kelly drove in Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman. Then in the sixth, a solo home run from Ian Happ off Lugo cut the Kansas City lead to 4-3. Lugo's day ended after six innings.
For the most part Lugo, who improved to 5-7 on the season earning the win, out-shined Holmes, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five. John Schreiber would come on in the seventh inning, and retire the first two batters he faced before walking the next two. With two runners on and two outs though, Schrebier would strike out Seiya Suzuki to end the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Caglianone continued his hot night, capping the scoring with his second home run, a two run home run to center field for his 20th blast of the season, scoring Carter Jensen to push the lead to 6-3. Steven Cruz pitched the eighth, giving up one hit and striking out one, before Nate Pearson handled the ninth against his former team to pick up his second save of the season, giving up one hit and striking out two.
Kansas City and Chicago wrap up their series tomorrow. Randy Dobnak (2-0, 1.16, 15K's) tries to continue his resurgence when he makes the start for the Royals against Matthew Boyd (7-1, 3.59 ERA, 63K's) who tries to win his eighth consecutive decision as he takes the mound for the Cubs. First pitch is at 1:10pm, pregame will air at 12:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.