On Monday, a brief two-game series between two struggling teams commenced at Busch Stadium.
It was the first of two games between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, two Missouri-state rivals, who when they compete against each other do so in what is called the “I-70 series.”
The Royals came out on top on Monday, with their bullpen nearly tossing a perfect game in St. Louis.
It wasn’t until Nolan Arenado picked up a base-hit in the eighth inning that the Cardinals even had a baserunner.
MLB had commented on the Royals coming close to history after seven innings.
When the perfect game bid was lost, the Royals responded to MLB’s tweet, jokingly calling them out for “jinxing” the perfecto.
You had to say it huh. https://t.co/bLPhIbuDOP
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 29, 2023
The Royals came to within just six outs of a combined perfect game, which would have been the first in Major League history.
Unfortunately, it did not hold up.
However, that didn’t tarnish the shine of the pitching performance put on by the Royals on Monday.
Reliever Josh Staumont retired the Cardinals in order in the first inning before former Cardinal Mike Mayers gave them six shutout innings, not allowing a baserunner until Arenado picked up his leadoff hit in the eighth.
It was a day to remember for the Royals, who historically have received the short end of the stick in the I-70 rivalry, save for the 1985 World Series.
The Royals won by a final score of 7-0, and though they were unable to pull off a historic feat, they came pretty close and still sent fans in St. Louis home unhappy.
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