Padres slug their way to victory in Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals were looking to complete a sweep at home against the San Diego Padres out of the All-Star Break, however, timely hitting and the long ball doomed the Royals as the Padres beat them 19-2.

Things were looking good for the Royals out of the gate, Noah Cameron got a scoreless first inning, and Jac Caglianone absolutely crushed a solo shot in the bottom of the 1st. A 114 mph, 432 foot shot to right field, for the 16th on the season for Cags.

Unfortunately, things quickly went for south for Cameron and the Royals immediately after. The Padres hit two straight singles with one out, then loaded the bases with a walk. Fernando Tatis Jr. smacked a two-run single, Jackson Merrill singled in a run of his own and Manny Machado hit a sac fly making it 4-1.

San Diego tacked on two more in the 3rd, with a two-out RBI double and single, making it 6-1. The Royals did get one back in the bottom half of the inning, when Isaac Collins hit a double, scoring Cags.

Merrill led off the 4th with a homer, making it 7-2. The Royals did load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning, but Carter Jensen struck out and Nick Loftin hit into a double play.

After that, it was just San Diego piling on. Tatis homered off Matt Strahm in the 6th, making it 8-2. Beck Way looked good, but was burned badly with a Tyler Tolbert error, scoring one. Lucas Erceg came in and promptly gave up a grand slam to Ty France, because of course. It was 13-2 after 8 innings.

Tolbert pitched the 9th, and it didn’t go any better. Merrill homered again, this time a 2-run shot. France homered again, making it 16-2. A bases loaded hit batter and two-run single, made it 19-2. Ending the nightmare.

Uh, nothing really positive to speak on, other than Cags crushed a homer, and finished the day 2-4. The Royals are 40-60, 100 games in. They open a three-game series tomorrow, at home against the Giants. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. CT. Michael Wacha is expected to start.