Grissom RBI, Albies HR push Braves past Royals 5-4

Associated PressApr 16, 2023, 9:29 PM EDT
William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Vaughn Grissom hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth, Ozzie Albies homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday for the series sweep.

Grissom’s RBI single came after Albies hit a one-out double. Albies went 2 for 4, including his 376-foot solo homer to right field in the fourth for his fifth RBI of the series. Matt Olson hit a two-run triple in Atlanta’s three-run third inning.

“Our guys are relentless and will play a hard 27 outs,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We never feel out of a game and don’t panic, it is the next-man-up attitude.”

Atlanta starter Kyle Wright struck out six across 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three walk. Relievers Michael Tonkin and Nick Anderson (1-0) combined to strike out three batters, and A.J. Minter got his third save of the year.

“Obviously I was happy that we won,” Wright said. “The sinker and curveball were really good. We threw the ball well and the defense made some nice plays.”

Zack Greinke gave up four runs on four hits in six innings with six strikeouts and a walk. Scott Barlow (0-2) allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts.

“(Greinke) was efficient with good offspeed, fastball had good movement,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “His velocity was consistent with how it’s been. He really attacked hitters.”

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 4 with two outs in the seventh.

BROOMS AND GLOOMS

Atlanta took its first sweep over the Royals since 2010 – and the first ever in Kansas City.

The Royals are 1-9 at Kauffman Stadium this season. Kansas City went 1-12 at home to start the 2018 season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: LHP Kris Bubic (left flexor strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Kansas City recalled LHP Josh Taylor from Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jordan Lyles (0-2, 5.19 ERA) will open a three-game home series against Texas on Tuesday.

Braves: Atlanta will head to San Diego for a three-game set. The Braves have yet to announce a starter for Monday’s game.

Padres claim 2-time All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez off waivers from Mets

Associated PressMay 30, 2023, 11:24 AM EDT
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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SAN DIEGO — The scuffling San Diego Padres claimed catcher Gary Sánchez off waivers from the New York Mets.

The two-time All-Star was designated for assignment after playing in three games for the Mets. He went 1 for 6 with three strikeouts and an RBI, looking shaky at times behind the plate.

With the disappointing Padres (24-29) getting meager offensive production at catcher, they hope Sánchez can provide a boost. Austin Nola is batting .131 with three extra-base hits and a paltry .434 OPS in 39 games. His part-time platoon partner, second-stringer Brett Sullivan, is hitting .170 with four extra-base hits and a .482 OPS in 21 games since getting called up from the minors April 16.

Luis Campusano has been on the injured list since April 17 and is expected to be sidelined until around the All-Star break following left thumb surgery.

San Diego is responsible for just over $1 million in salary for Sánchez after assuming his $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The star-studded Padres have lost seven of 11 and are 3-3 on a nine-game East Coast trip. They open a three-game series at Miami.

San Diego becomes the third National League team to take a close look at the 30-year-old Sánchez this season. He spent time in the minors with San Francisco before getting released May 2 and signing a minor league contract a week later with the Mets, who were minus a couple of injured catchers at the time.

After hitting well in a short stint at Triple-A Syracuse, he was promoted to the big leagues May 19. When the Mets reinstated catcher Tomás Nido from the injured list last week, Sánchez was cut.

Sánchez’s best seasons came early in his career with the New York Yankees, where he was runner-up in 2016 AL Rookie of the Year voting and made the AL All-Star team in 2017 and 2019.

He was traded to Minnesota before the 2022 season and batted .205 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 128 games last year.

With the Padres, Sánchez could also be a candidate for at-bats at designated hitter, where 42-year-old Nelson Cruz is batting .245 with three homers, 16 RBIs and a .670 OPS, and 37-year-old Matt Carpenter is hitting .174 with four homers, 21 RBIs and a .652 OPS.