The Royals’ plan is to run, run, run in 2019, and that emphasis on up-tempo play proved effective in Wednesday’s 17-7 Cactus League win over an Indians split-squad.
Whit Merrifield forced an error by going first to third on a single. Alex Gordon took third base on a wild pitch that bounced just in front of the catcher. Jorge Soler tagged from second and advanced on a line drive to the center fielder. Cleveland watched helplessly as Adalberto Mondesi galloped home after Gordon was intentionally caught in a rundown.
That was all in just the first two innings.