The Toronto Blue Jays made a triumphant return to Kansas City on Tuesday night, defeating the Royals 5-2 in a game that marked the return of Royals star Whit Merrifield. Merrifield, who had been out of the lineup since April with a rib injury, made his first start in Kansas City since his return.
The Blue Jays got off to a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning. Bo Bichette drove in two of those runs with a double, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added an RBI single. The Royals responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, but the Blue Jays held on for the remainder of the game.
The Blue Jays’ pitching was stellar throughout the night. Starter Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed just two runs over six innings, while relievers Anthony Bass and Rafael Dolis shut down the Royals in the seventh and eighth innings. Closer Ken Giles pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season.
Merrifield had a solid night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. He also made a great defensive play in the fourth inning, robbing Guerrero Jr. of a hit with a diving catch. Merrifield’s return to Kansas City was a welcome sight for Royals fans, who have been waiting to see him back in action.
The Blue Jays’ victory was their fourth in a row, and they now sit at 16-14 on the season. With Merrifield back in the lineup, the Royals are hoping to get back on track and make a run at the playoffs. Tuesday night’s game was an exciting one for both teams, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the coming weeks.
