Royals' Michael Wacha: Picks up first loss since June
Rotowire
Wacha (11-7) allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Guardians.
Wacha allowed just one hit through the first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth, giving up four hits, including a two-run homer to Lane Thomas. Wacha picked up his first loss since June 22, and he went 7-0 with a 2.86 ERA during that 11-start stretch. The 33-year-old remains a steady presence in the middle of the Royals rotation with a 3.50 ERA through 144 innings this season.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Falls apart late in no-decision
Rotowire
Wacha came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's loss to the Guardians, allowing five earned runs on nine hits while striking out seven in six-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.
Wacha allowed just two runs over the first six innings and was on pace to record his sixth consecutive quality start, but a three-run seventh inning soured an otherwise efficient outing. Bo Naylor led off the seventh with a solo home run before back-to-back singles by Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez chased Wacha from the game. Both of those runners came around to score to give Wacha five earned runs on the night, the most he has allowed since May 4. Wednesday's outing represents a minor blemish in what has been an excellent campaign for the veteran, particularly since the All-Star break. Since the intermission, the 33-year-old is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB in 49.2 innings (eight starts). He is scheduled for a rematch against Cleveland early next week.
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Royals' Michael Wacha: Quality start streak at five
Rotowire
Wacha (11-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on six hits over six innings in a 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The veteran right-hander was sharp once again, tossing 64 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his fifth straight quality start and 13th of the season -- his highest total since 2017. Wacha also hasn't been stuck with a loss since June 22, winning seven straight decisions with a 2.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 60 innings since then. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cleveland.
Wacha (10-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out nine batters over six scoreless innings.
The Royals built a 10-run lead through three frames, so Wacha didn't face much pressure in the contest. Still, he didn't let down his guard, yielding just four hits -- all of which were singles -- while tossing six scoreless frames for his fourth consecutive quality start. Wacha's nine punchouts were a season high, and he reached the double-digit win mark for the fifth time in his 12-year career.
Wacha (9-6) earned the win over St. Louis on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven innings.
Wacha served up a two-run homer to Paul Goldschmidt in the second inning but blanked the Cardinals from that point on. The veteran hurler notched 15 whiffs and tossed 62 of 92 pitches for strikes in the efficient outing, and he finished with his third straight quality start. Wacha has been very consistent for three-plus months, as he hasn't allowed more than three earned runs over his past 14 starts dating back to May 4. He owns a 2.59 ERA and an 8-2 record during that stretch.
Wacha did not factor into the decision after allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings against the Tigers on Sunday. He struck out two batters in the win.
Wacha struggled with his command and threw only 58 of 99 pitches for strikes. The four walks were the second most he's issued in a start this season behind only his May 9 outing against the Angels. Since the beginning of July, Wacha has produced four quality starts in six outings, going 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA in the process. For the year, his ERA sits at 3.55 with a 93:35 K:BB through 20 starts. Wacha's next outing is projected to be at home against the Cardinals.
Wacha (8-6) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings in a 4-3 victory over the White Sox. He struck out five.
The veteran right-hander delivered his ninth quality start of the season on 89 pitches (57 strikes), but Wacha actually left the mound with the Royals down 2-1 before the offense put up a three spot in the top of the eighth to make him a winner. He incredibly hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start since May 4, posting a 2.56 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB through 70.1 innings over his last 12 outings despite missing most of June with a foot fracture. Wacha will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Red Sox.
Wacha did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing three hits on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings while striking out one.
Wacha didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, surrendering a solo homer to Eugenio Suarez in the second inning and later giving up another two long balls, back-to-back, in the fourth to put Kansas City at a 3-1 deficit. The three home runs allowed marked a season high for the veteran right-hander, while the one strikeout was also his lowest total of the campaign. Wacha had gone at least five innings in 10 consecutive starts heading into Wednesday's matchup.
