The Kansas City Royals keep hitting big home runs. That led to Friday’s win vs. Orioles

The Kansas City Royals continued their hot streak at Kauffman Stadium. On Friday, the Royals earned their ninth straight home victory on the young season with a win against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Royals (13-7) recorded nine hits in a 9-4 win over the Orioles.

In the sixth inning, KC produced a five-run outburst. Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez each homered in key situations for KC.

“We were able to find some good at-bats late, get the pitch count up when we needed to and have a big inning,” Melendez said. “Got to the bullpen, and we were able to find a rhythm right there.”

Pasquantino gave the Royals an early 1-0 lead. He belted his fourth home run of the season, adding to his recent hot stretch. Later, Melendez provided three insurance runs. His three-run homer in the seventh inning helped seal the victory.

It was enough run support for Royals starter Alec Marsh. The second-year pitcher tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed three hits and struck out six batters en route to his third win of the season.

Marsh relied on his four-seam fastball throughout the game. The pitch registered 17 swings and seven whiffs. He balanced the heater with his curveball and changeup. The off-speed pitches generated 20 swings.

“I thought the changeup was fantastic and the fastball command was really good,” Marsh said. “Getting out of that (first-inning) jam was huge early. Getting the boys going and the offense coming in late. ... It was a great game overall.”

The Orioles scored all four runs with one swing. Adley Rutschman hit his first career grand slam off Royals reliever Will Smith in the top of the seventh inning. Smith was charged with four runs and four hits in his one-inning outing.

Orioles starter Dean Kremer took the loss. He allowed three earned runs despite not allowing a hit until the fourth inning.

“Kremer was tough,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “... Guys were battling, and they were putting up tough at-bats. We just couldn’t get anything going. Breaking through with the five (runs) was huge. And to answer back, that was probably the biggest takeaway for me.”

Baltimore dropped to 12-7. KC will look to win the series on Saturday night.

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Here are more notables from Friday’s game:

Vinnie Pasquantino blasts 4th home run

Pasquantino sent a jolt through Kauffman Stadium in the fourth inning. He drilled a solo home run off Kremer that gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.

Kremer left a 84-mph splitter over the plate. Pasquantino took advantage and sent the baseball over the right-field wall. The home run traveled 397 feet and registered a 109.0-mph exit velocity, per Baseball Savant.

Pasquantino has now homered in three of his last five games. In that span, he has recorded six hits in 15 at-bats.

The Royals have hit 25 home runs this season. They rank fourth among Major League Baseball teams this season.

Not so fast: Salvy throws out baserunner

Marsh got a huge assist from Royals captain Salvador Perez. In the first inning, the Orioles posed an early threat with runners in scoring position.

Orioles star Gunnar Henderson was hit by a pitch to begin the game. Adley Rutschman singled in the next at-bat.

Marsh was suddenly in a tough spot. He induced Ryan O’Hearn to ground out as both runners moved up.

However, Perez picked up his teammate. He fired down to third base and threw out Henderson when Henderson wandered too far away. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia applied the tag.

The Orioles challenged, but the review upheld the tag.

“Unbelievable,” Marsh said. “That’s just a huge momentum shifter for me on the mound. I’m kind of in a jam there. Getting that free out right there. They were giving us that out, and he took a chance on it. It was great.”

Later, Marsh retired Anthony Santander to end the inning. The game remained scoreless.

What’s next on KC Royals’ schedule

The Royals continue their weekend series against the Orioles.

Cole Ragans is set to start in Saturday’s star-studded rematch against Corbin Burnes. Both aces dueled in Baltimore on April 3. Ragans allowed one hit and registered seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 scoreless innings during the matchup.

First pitch Saturday is set for 6:10 p.m.