KANSAS CITY, Mo. —There was a hint of a smile as Anthony Santander rounded first base, and it wouldn’t be the last one the Orioles would flash Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. The ball had leaped off Santander’s bat, flying an estimated 455 feet and ending with a splash into the fountain beyond the right-center fence.
The emphatic crack of the bat was an early indication of what was to come for Baltimore in the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, breaking out at the plate to even the four-game series at two games apiece. After Santander’s blast, a four-run second inning continued the offensive eruption in a 10-7 victory before a flight to Toronto.
So frequently this season, the bullpen has held a game in check after a spotty performance from a starter. The reverse happened Sunday, with five of the six Kansas City earned runs coming off relievers, although the offense pushed the contest far enough out of reach to weather the Royals’ comeback attempt.
