Royals reliever James McArthur earned his first big league win and first career save in a span of three days this week. Inheriting a two-on, no-out mess in the eighth inning of a one-run game against Cleveland, the big right-hander proceeded to strike out the next three batters he faced, allowing Kansas City to eventually close out a 7-6 win over the Guardians. “I can't say enough about him,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who watched McArthur allow seven runs in a single inning in his big league debut against the same bunch of Guardians in late June.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy felt the Rangers had everything set up nicely to go to Will Smith with a one-run lead in the eighth inning. Things went sideways in a hurry, especially after Smith promptly walked Boston’s No. 8 hitter and gave up a double to the ninth-place batter who didn’t have a hit in his previous 17 at-bats. Rob Refsnyder had a two-run single right after hot-hitting Rafael Devers was intentionally walked with one out and Adam Duvall followed with a sacrifice fly.
The Kansas City Royals could have long ago given up on the season. Would have been easy to give up on Monday's game against Cleveland, too. “It shows we're capable of beating really good teams,” Waters said, “and finishing the season on a high note.”