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The Kansas City Royals ran into a command performance from Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried on Friday night.
Fried was in rare form as his team clung to slim playoff hopes. The Braves’ starting pitcher silenced the Royals across 8 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out nine as KC fell 3-0 at Truist Park.
With that outcome, the Royals (85-75) were awaiting the results of Friday’s ongoing game between the host Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. The Royals have a magic number of one game to clinch a spot in the MLB postseason.