Blake Snell struck out nine batters in six strong innings, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday and completing a three-game series sweep.
Kansas City (82-72) moved into the second wild-card spot in the American League ahead of Detroit (82-74) because it won the season series against the Tigers 7-6. Minnesota is just half a game behind Kansas City and Detroit, waiting for the result of its second game in a doubleheader against Boston.
The Royals were shut out for the second game in a row and have now lost seven straight games, finishing their homestand without a win in all six games.
“It couldn’t have been a worse homestand,” said Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro. “It’s really disappointing.”
Snell (5-3) allowed only two singles and a walk, not letting any runner reach beyond first base. In his last 14 starts, he is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 114 strikeouts.
Using an effective curveball, Snell held Royals’ hitters to just 1 for 13 when he threw a first-pitch strike. This season, opponents are hitting only .121 against him when he gets ahead in the count.
“I was going to throw change-ups, but they were so on it,” Snell said. “So, I adjusted. (The curveball) was just there more today.”
In the second inning, with one out, Grant McCray hit an RBI triple to right-center and scored on a two-out hit from Brett Wisely. McCray ended his 0-for-13 slump with his first extra-base hit since September 7.
“That was a huge hit for us because (Seth) Lugo looked like he was on his game,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin.
Lugo (16-9) retired the next 16 batters and finished with five strikeouts, allowing only two runs over seven innings.
“His command was impeccable today,” Quatraro said. “His stuff was really good.”
With two outs and runners on second and third, the Giants intentionally walked Bobby Witt Jr. to load the bases. Tyler Rogers then got Salvador Perez to pop up, ending the inning without any damage.
