Royals ride 16-hit effort to series win over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KMIZ)

The Royals have clinched their first series win since May 7.

Kansas City (28-23) doubled San Francisco (29-21) in the hit column in Wednesday's rubber match, guiding them to an 8-4 victory at Oracle Park. With the win, manager Matt Quatraro's team has moved into a tie with Minnesota for second place in the American League Central division.

All nine players in Kansas City's starting lineup contributed at least one hit in the contest, including five multi-hit performances from Salvador Perez (3), Michael Massey (3), Maikel Garcia (2), Bobby Witt Jr. (2) and Drew Waters (2). Vinnie Pasquantino started a streak of three unanswered runs to begin the game with a first-inning RBI single, representing one of five different players for the Royals who recorded one RBI or more.

After Garcia and Witt Jr. drove in two more runs in the second inning to extend Kansas City's lead to 3-0, Matt Chapman cut San Francisco's deficit down to 3-1 with a solo home run in the third frame. However, Witt Jr. and Perez responded with a three-run fourth inning, courtesy of an RBI double and two-run home run respectively. Perez punished the Giants at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with his third home run of the season and a pair of RBI's.

Patrick Bailey delivered the second of three home runs for San Francisco to make another small dent in the 6-2 deficit after four frames, but the Royals dealt the rest of their damage in the fifth inning behind an RBI single from Massey and a sacrifice fly from Garcia. Collectively, Kansas City out-hit the Giants by a 16-8 margin.

While the approach at the dish was excellent, the Royals had to rely on a high volume of pitchers to secure this win. Six different players made an appearance on the mound, and none of them pitched more than two innings. Daniel Lynch IV was given the starting nod, tossing just 1.2 shutout innings but allowing only one hit with two strikeouts. Jonathan Bowlan was awarded the win, following a two-hit, one-run effort over 1.1 frames out of the bullpen.

Up next - The Royals will strive to overtake the Twins in the division race with a three-game series in Minnesota. The first contest between the two rivals is scheduled for Friday, May 23 at 7:10 p.m.