Mondesi gets first big-league hit on 21st birthday, Royals win 7-5

By foxsports
Published

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Raul Mondesi celebrated an unforgettable 21st birthday.

Mondesi had two infield singles, leading to four runs and two pitchers throwing errors -- plus a protest by the Los Angeles Angels -- as the Kansas City Royals rallied for a 7-5 victory on Wednesday night.

Mondesi had a bunt single for his first big league hit, with two runs scoring on the play on pitcher Matt Shoemaker's throwing error in the seventh inning.

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"This one I enjoy," Mondesi said of his birthday. "Playing with these guys, this is amazing."

Shoemaker, who did not allow a base runner until the fifth inning, yielded singles to Alex Gordon and Paulo Orlando to start the seventh. Mondesi, called up Tuesday, put down a bunt and beat the throw to first as the throw by Shoemaker (5-11) sailed into right field.

Both runners scored and Mondesi wound up on third. 

"That's part of my game," Mondesi said of bunting. "I like it. I enjoy bunting and with that throw we score two runs."

Angels manager Mike Scioscia came out claiming interference, that Mondesi was not running within the lines, and after a 6 minute, 15 second review the call on the field was not changed. Scioscia officially protested the game.

Royals manager Ned Yost said there is no way the protest would be upheld.

"You can't protest a judgmental call," Yost said. "I've never protested a game. I've never been part of a game that was protested."

Scioscia had a completely opposite viewpoint, saying he is "100 percent" certain the protest would be upheld.

"It's not a judgement call," Scioscia said. "I would not have protested if I was not 100 percent correct on this. This is a misinterpretation of a rule. It was very clear. Phil Cuzzi, the home plate umpire, had Mondesi running inside the line in jeopardy the whole way, and stated that it's okay because he was stepping back toward the bag, which is wrong."

Jarrod Dyson rifled a triple to right, scoring Mondesi and making all the runs earned. Dyson scored on Alcides Escobar's sacrifice fly.

Mondesi added a run-scoring infield single in a two-run eighth. The second run scored on pitcher Jose Alvarez's throwing error.

Joakim Soria (4-4) pitched a scoreless inning for the win after replacing left-hander Danny Duffy in the seventh. Duffy allowed three runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out five.

Shoemaker was charged with five runs on eight hits in six-plus innings.

Albert Pujols walked with the bases loaded with one out in the ninth and Andrelton Simmons singled in another run before Wade Davis struck out Jett Bandy to end the game.

Gordon and Orlando each contributed three hits. Orlando had two doubles and a fifth-inning RBI.

Jefry Marte had two doubles and a RBI for the Angels, while Johnny Giavotella had his second consecutive three-hit game.

ROYALS MEETING

With several Royals names surfacing in trade rumors, Yost addressed it in a team meeting. "These guys are a real, real close group," Yost said. "They know that this trade deadline (Monday) is bearing down on them. They don't want to see anybody leave that room. They want to see us all continue to stay together. That's adding a little bit of anxiety and urgency to their game. But sometimes it can be a little too much. They're trying to make things happen, instead of letting things develop. Just catch your breath."

OUTFIELD DEBUT

Gregorio Petit, who had only played the infield professionally, started in left field for the Angels. "We're trying to get another right-handed bat in there and get Greg some at-bats," Scioscia said. "He's been working out there for the last two months."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: OF Shane Robinson (sprained right ankle) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Class-A Inland Empire in the California League.

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (strained left hamstring) went 1 for 4 with a single and a strikeout while playing seven innings in right field.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Jered Weaver will start Thursday at Anaheim against the Red Sox, who will counter with LHP David Price.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura, who lost to the Rangers on Saturday, will face them again Thursday in the opener of a four-game series at Arlington. LHP Cole Hamels will be the Texas starter.