11-run sixth inning carries Royals past Mariners 13-12

Michael Massey had a two-run homer and a two-run single in an 11-run sixth inning that propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 13-12 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday in the rubber game of their three-game series. The Royals sent 14 batters to the plate in the sixth, scoring at least 11 runs in an inning for the sixth time in team history. For the Royals (63-90), who have won five of their past six games, Hunter Dozier had three hits and two RBIs, Bobby Witt Jr. and Ryan O'Hearn each had two hits and two RBIs, and Edward Olivares had two hits and scored three runs. Royals starter Max Castillo allowed six runs and six hits in four innings. He struck out four and walked four. Jose Cuas (4-2) earned the win in relief, and Scott Barlow pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 24th save. Ty France and Mitch Haniger each had three hits and two RBIs for the Mariners (83-69), who started the day holding the third and final wild-card spot in the American League, four games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. Mariners starter Luis Castillo was unable to take advantage of an 11-2 lead. He allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking three. Matt Brash (3-5) was responsible for four runs in the sixth inning and took the loss. The Mariners had four walks and two hit batters in the fifth inning and appeared to blow the game open by scoring eight runs to take a 9-2 lead. Haniger singled in the first run in the inning before Castillo's day eventually was ended. Amir Garrett replaced him and was charged with three runs in two-thirds of an inning for a 9-2 Seattle lead. The score was 11-2 when Massey homered to drive in the first two runs of the Royals' sixth inning. He added his two-run single later in the inning to move the Royals ahead 11-10. Hunter Dozier capped the Royals' scoring with another two-run single to make it 13-11. Seattle closed the scoring on Luis Torrens' sacrifice fly in the seventh. --Field Level Media