Reds baserunning gaffe helps Royals complete sweep with 4-3 win

Lorenzo Cain had a tiebreaking RBI single in the second inning, as the Royals completed a sweep of the four-game season series.

Cueto said he asked his superiors if he could pitch against the Reds.

It was the type of game Wednesday night that the “old” Kansas City Royals might have lost.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Eugenio Suarez (7) greets Joey Votto (19) following a solo home run off Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, August 18, 2015, in Cincinnati.

After winning 9 of their last 11 games, the Royals’ recent triumphs arguably derive from the success of new teammates Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist.

Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (8-7, 5.63) is 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in eight career interleague starts going into his scheduled appearance on Wednesday at Cincinnati. That was fine by Reds manager Bryan Price, who wasn’t emotionally prepared to see Cueto on the mound pitching for another team. Which wouldn’t have mattered – Jay Bruce was called out on the Infield Fly Rule – except that Reds outfielder Jason Bourgeois didn’t heed the rule’s “advance at your own risk” warning and strayed too far off third base. “I’m happy he’s performing so well for them and that we’re not facing him – for the emotional reason”.

Ryan Madson and Kelvin Herrera each turned in one scoreless relief inning before Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 10th save.

Phillips batted fourth for the 13th time this season but first since April 26 that ended a string of 12 straight. All of Seattle’s scoring came in the first inning on three extra-base hits, including Seth Smith’s 10th home run of the season.

Guthrie lasted 4 1-3 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs with three walks, four strikeouts and a wild pitch. Phillips, who left the game in the seventh inning with inflammation in his right biceps, extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

Cueto finds his Kauffman Stadium jog a bit more daunting.

“I feel a little timid”, he said.

Royals: INF Omar Infante was available to play Wednesday after being scratched from Tuesday’s starting lineup with back spasms. Infante is day-to-day, Yost said.

On the heels of an 8-2 home stand, our KC Royals head out to Cincinnati and Boston this week for six games before briefly heading home.