## Royals Rally with Record Pitching Performance

**Kansas City Edges Out Atlanta in Nail-Biting Shutout** 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez delivered a clutch single in the 10th inning, driving in MJ Melendez to secure a thrilling 1-0 victory for the Kansas City Royals over the Atlanta Braves. This win was made even more remarkable by the Royals' historic pitching performance, tying a major league record by utilizing nine pitchers throughout the shutout.

Sam Long (1-2) emerged as the hero in the 10th inning, navigating a high-pressure situation with runners on the corners and no outs. He struck out Sean Murphy and Eli White before inducing Luke Williams into a flyout to left field, preserving the lead for the Royals' late-inning rally.

In the bottom half of the 10th, Melendez was placed on second base as a pinch runner. Perez capitalized on the opportunity, connecting with the second pitch from Daysbel Hernandez (4-2) and sending it into right field for the game-winning hit.

This feat echoes Cleveland's record-setting performance in 2016, where they also employed nine pitchers in a 10-inning shutout.


**Wentz Shines in Hometown Return**

Meanwhile, Atlanta's Joey Wentz put on an impressive display just miles away from his high school alma mater, Shawnee Mission East High School. The former first-round draft pick, claimed off waivers earlier this month, silenced the Royals offense, allowing only one hit and three walks over 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven.

Facing a struggling rotation, the Royals countered with a strategic deployment of relief pitchers. Angel Zerpa started on short rest and pitched into the second inning, followed by Jonathan Bowlan, who was their most effective reliever, retiring more than three batters in his two innings pitched. John Schreiber showcased his dominance by striking out the side in the fourth inning, while Hunter Harvey expertly navigated a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, securing three consecutive outs. 


**Series Conclusion and Future Matchups:**

This low-scoring encounter follows the Braves' dominant victory in the series opener (10-7) and Tuesday's thrilling win for the Royals (9-6).  The Braves haven't announced their starter for Thursday's game in Cincinnati, but newly acquired RHP Carlos Carrasco is anticipated to take the mound. The Royals have a day off before embarking on a series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting Friday night. 




## Royals Rally with Record Pitching Performance

**Kansas City Edges Out Atlanta in Nail-Biting Shutout** 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez delivered a clutc

Perez&#39;s single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC 

Perez&#39;s single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout

## Cubs Crush Brewers in Blowout Win, Avoid Sweep

**Chicago Steals Wednesday Game with Power Surge**

MILWAUKEE - Michael Busch's first pitch homer and a bases-clearing double from Moisés Ballesteros fueled the Chicago Cubs to a decisive 10-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. The win prevented the Cubs from being swept in their three-game series.


Milwaukee still holds a one-game lead over Chicago in the NL Central. The two teams will clash again in a five-game series at Chicago from August 18th to 21st.

Ian Happ also contributed with a homer, while Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a 3-for-4 performance featuring two doubles and Kyle Tucker added 2 hits and 2 RBIs for the Cubs.


Contreras' Fifth Two-Homer Game

Despite the loss, Brewers catcher William Contreras put on a show with his fifth career multi-homer game. The two-time All-Star had only hit one homer since May 23rd.

**Pitching Performance:**

Cubs starter Shota Imanaga (8-4) dominated with eight strikeouts, zero walks, and only three runs and five hits allowed over five innings.

Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta (12-5), who had won his last seven starts, struggled, giving up a season-high five runs in four innings.  

**Game Highlights:**

* Busch's 388-foot homer on the first pitch of the game marked his 21st homer of the season.
* Contreras answered with a home run of his own, ending his drought since June 14th.
* Crow-Armstrong's grounder that deflected off Brice Turang's glove in the third inning put Chicago ahead 2-1.
* Ballesteros' three-run double later in the third extended the Cubs lead.


**Looking Ahead:**

Cade Horton (4-3, 3.67) is set to pitch for the Cubs on Friday against visiting Baltimore. José Quintana (7-4, 3.50) will take the mound for Milwaukee as they host Washington and Mitchell Parker (7-10, 4.91).


Peralta's Strikeout Milestone

Freddy Peralta recorded three strikeouts, bringing his career total to 1,083. This surpasses Teddy Higuera's franchise record of 1,081, placing Peralta third all-time behind Yovani Gallardo (1,226) and Ben Sheets (1,206).






## Cubs Crush Brewers in Blowout Win, Avoid Sweep

**Chicago Steals Wednesday Game with Power Surge**

MILWAUKEE - Michael Busch's first pitch homer and a bases

#Ap online today in history

Perez's single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout

Busch's leadoff homer, Ballesteros' 3-run double help Cubs beat Brewers 10-3 to avoid sweep

#Ap online today in history

Perez&#39;s single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout

Busch&#39;s leadoff homer, Ballesteros&#39; 3-run double help Cubs beat Brewers 10-3 to avoid sweep

Perez's single in 10th lifts Royals over Braves 1-0. KC ties record by using 9 pitchers in shutout

Busch's leadoff homer, Ballesteros' 3-run double help Cubs beat Brewers 10-3 to avoid sweep