On a sunny afternoon on September 19th, 2021, the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago Cubs faced off in a highly anticipated inter league match up at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams had been struggling in the second half of the season, with the Royals sitting at 65-82 and the Cubs at 66-81, but fans were still eager to see these two teams take the field.
The starting pitchers for the game were Brady Singer for the Royals and Adrian Sampson for the Cubs. Singer had been having a strong season, with a 3.96 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 137 innings pitched. Sampson, on the other hand, was making just his second start of the season after struggling in his debut against the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the month.
The game got off to a slow start, with both pitchers keeping the opposing offenses in check through the first two innings. In the top of the third inning, the Royals were able to break through against Sampson. After a lead off single by Kelvin Gutierrez, Michael A. Taylor hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Royals a 2-0 lead.
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The Cubs were quick to respond in the bottom of the third inning. After a lead off double by Ian Happ, Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run to center field to tie the game at 2-2. The Cubs continued to threaten in the inning, putting runners on first and third with one out, but Singer was able to escape the jam with a ground out and a strikeout.
The game remained tied until the top of the sixth inning, when the Royals took the lead once again. After a lead off single by Nicky Lopez, Gutierrez hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Royals a 4-2 lead. The Royals were able to add another run later in the inning, when Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to score Hunter Dozier and extend their lead to 5-2.
The Cubs had a chance to cut into the Royals' lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, putting runners on second and third with one out. However, Singer was able to induce a groundout and a flyout to end the inning and preserve the Royals' lead.
The Royals added some insurance in the top of the eighth inning, when Gutierrez hit his second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field. The Cubs were unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Royals took a 6-2 lead into the ninth inning.
The Royals brought in closer Scott Barlow to try to close out the game, and he did not disappoint. Despite giving up a lead off single to Happ, Barlow was able to retire the next three batters in order to seal the 6-2 victory for the Royals.
The game was a strong performance for the Royals, who were able to capitalize on their opportunities at the plate and on the mound. Singer pitched a solid six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out six batters. Gutierrez was the offensive hero for the Royals, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI.
For the Cubs, it was a disappointing loss in front of their home fans. Sampson struggled once again, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings pitched. The Cubs' offense was unable to generate much after their two-run third inning, as they managed just four hits in the game.
Despite the loss, there were some positives for the Cubs to take away from the game. Contreras had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.