Kim’s 3-run double helps lead Padres past Royals 7-3

By AVERY OSEN
Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ha-Seong Kim hit a go-ahead three-run double, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kyle Higashioka homered and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Saturday.

Randy Vásquez (1-3) started after Joe Musgrove was scratched hours before the first pitch with right elbow inflammation and went five innings, allowing three runs and four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

“I’m very happy and grateful to the organization that I get this opportunity to help out,” said Vásquez, who was recalled from Triple-A El Paso to make the start. “Everything worked out good for us. I do feel a lot more in the loop with my arsenal and grateful for these good results.”

With the Padres trailing 3-2 in the fourth inning, Kim cleared cleared the bases with a double to left field off Royals starter Alec Marsh (4-3).

“It’s true that I didn’t have the greatest start that I liked, but I felt like I’ve been hitting the ball really hard but unfortunately a lot of them have been outs lately,” said Kim, who also had a triple. “I did feel myself getting better and now is just the beginning of the summer and I have good memories of the summer, so hopefully I can carry this momentum forward.”

Marsh gave up five earned runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Tatis Jr. hit a solo homer in the top of the first to give the Padres a 1-0 lead. But Vinnie Pasquantino, who went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning to put the Royals ahead.

Pasquantino had another chance to get Kansas City closer in the seventh when he came up with two outs and the bases loaded, but Jeremiah Estrada struck him out.

“There are always opportunities,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Any time you have the bat in your hand, you have an opportunity. I thought we competed well at the plate we just weren’t able to extend the lead when we had it and weren’t able to come back when we were behind.”

Higashioka homered in the top of the ninth for his second of the season.

“That was a great team win,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “We had contributions from a lot of people and that typically starts on the mound and our man Randy battled through five. He did his part and the bullpen did a really good job.”

The Padres will look for their first sweep of the season Sunday, while the Royals will try to avoid being swept for the first time this year.

ROSTER MOVES

Padres: Placed RHPs Musgrove and Yu Darvish (left groin strain) on the 15-day injured list and recalled Vásquez and RHP Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso.

UP NEXT

The Padres will send RHP Michael King (4-4, 4.09 ERA) to the mound against LHP Cole Ragans (4-4, 3.36) for the Royals on Sunday.

—

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB