Royals lose extra-inning thriller, take two of three from Mariners

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite some ninth inning heroics, the Royals were unable to complete a sweep of the Mariners on Sunday afternoon, losing the series finale 6-5 in 10 innings. This loss might've snapped Kansas City's three-game winning streak, but Matt Quatraro's crew still ended the weekend with its first series win since May 25.

Cole Ragans posted a strong 107-pitch effort on the mound for the Royals, allowing only one run on just three hits over six innings while adding nine strikeouts. However, Kansas City did not provide him with much run support, scoring just one run while he was pitching on a sacrifice bunt from Kyle Isbel in the fifth inning.

The Royals trailed 3-1 entering the ninth inning and were down to their final out when MJ Melendez walked up to the dish. Kansas City's left fielder tied the game with one swing, blasting his seventh home run of the season to score two runs and send the game to extra innings.

Seattle immediately applied some pressure back on Quatraro's group. Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh drove home a combined three runs on two singles in the 10th inning to obtain a three-run lead. However, the Royals were hoping for some more late-inning magic. Hunter Renfroe cut Kansas City's deficit down to 6-5 with his sixth home run of the season, and the Royals managed to get the tying run on base. But, the Mariners escaped Kauffman Stadium with a win after forcing Vinnie Pasquantino to ground out to end the game.

As a team, Kansas City recorded nine hits, which included two-hit efforts from Renfroe and Isbel. Melendez and Renfroe led the team in RBIs with two each.

Up next - the Royals welcome the Yankees to town for a four-game series, starting on Monday, June 10. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.