Lane Thomas hit a first-inning grand slam, Luinder Avila threw five strong innings and the visiting Kansas City Royals posted a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
In just the second start of his two-year career, Avila (1-2) allowed one run on two hits, striking out five and walking four for Kansas City, which snapped a six-game losing streak. Jac Caglianone and Michael Massey also homered for the Royals, who outhit the Reds 13-6.
Cincinnati ace Chase Burns was scheduled to start but was scratched with an illness. Lyon Richardson (0-1) started in his place, allowing four runs, striking out two and walking two in one inning of work. Brandon Leibrandt threw six innings of bulk relief, giving up five runs on 10 hits while striking out three and walking three in the loss.
JJ Bleday hit his third home run in the last four games for the Reds, who dropped their fourth game in five tries.
Richardson walked Carter Jensen and hit Bobby Witt Jr. to begin the first inning. After retiring Vinnie Pasquantino, Caglianone walked to load the bases.
Richardson struck out Isaac Collins for the second out, but Thomas connected on his second home run of the year — a 409-foot grand slam — to give the Royals a 4-0 lead.
The Reds got a run back in the bottom of the first, as Bleday hit his 10th homer of the season, a solo shot to right center.
Caleb Ferguson threw two scoreless innings in relief of Richardson.
In his first appearance since September 2024, Leibrandt threw a scoreless fourth for the Reds.
In the fifth, Witt began the frame with a double off Leibrandt before Caglianone’s 419-foot homer gave the Royals a 6-1 edge.
Pasquantino’s RBI single in the sixth pushed the Kansas City lead to 7-1.
John Schreiber threw a scoreless sixth in relief of Avila.
Massey homered off Leibrandt in the seventh, extending the margin to seven.
Nick Loftin’s sacrifice fly in the ninth made it 9-1.
Matt McLain’s double off Royals reliever Eli Morgan with two outs in the ninth capped the scoring.
