Royals put up runs early, Marsh whiffs Pirates in 8-3 victory

Alec Marsh tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts.

Royals hitters put up six runs early on against the Pirates, and Alec Marsh tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts in a 8-3 win over the Pirates in the series opener on Friday night.

The Royals jumped on Pirates starter Luis Ortiz in the second inning. Robbie Grossman drew a one-out walk, then Adam Frazier tapped a grounder back to the mound, but Ortiz threw it wild of first base, allowing the runners to reach second and third. Yuli Gurriel singled home a run, Kyle Isbel doubled home a run, then Tommy Pham singled home two runs. After Bobby Witt Jr. lined out to Ortiz, Salvador Perez drilled a two-run home run, his 27th of the season.

When the dust settled, the Royals led 6-0 after just two innings. Kyle Isbel tacked on another run in the fourth with a solo home run, his eighth of the year.

With a large cushion, Alec Marsh carved up the Pirates lineup. He worked around a double in the first by striking out the other three hitters in the inning, then struck out the side in the third. He worked around trouble in the fifth, and the Pirates finally got to him with a run in the sixth, causing him to exit after 96 pitches and 5 ¹⁄₃ innings. To get his 11 strikeouts, he induced 18 swing-and-misses by Pirates hitters on the night.

Adam Frazier homered late, his fourth of the year. The Royals got good relief appearances from Carlos Hernandez and Daniel Lynch IV, but Chris Stratton gave up a pair of runs in the ninth to make things a bit interesting before shutting the door.

The Royals improve to 81-67 and can take the series tomorrow afternoon at 12:05 CT with Michael Wacha facing Mitch Keller.