Ragans allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday.
Ragans held New York scoreless until Juan Soto tagged him for a two-run homer in the sixth inning. That put the left-hander in line for the loss, but the Kansas City offense took him off the hook with a run in the following frame. Overall, Ragans pitched well, recording 13 whiffs en route to seven punchouts and notching his second straight quality start. Ragans has at least seven strikeouts in six of his past seven outings and ranks second in the majors with 211 punchouts on the season.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Sets franchise record Friday
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Ragans (11-9) picked up the win in Friday's 5-0 victory over the Twins, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
When Ragans fanned Royce Lewis with a changeup in the third inning, it made him the first left-hander in Kansas City history to record 200 strikeouts in a season. He's only the fifth Royals pitcher to ever reach that mark, joining a group that includes Zack Greinke (2009), Kevin Appier (1996), Dennis Leonard (a franchise-record 244 Ks in 1977) and Bob Johnson (1970). The quality start was the 18th of the season for Ragans, and since the beginning of August he's posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB over 39 innings. His 204 strikeouts on the year put him third in the majors behind Tarik Skubal's 208 and Chris Sale's 206. Ragans is scheduled for a tough road start against the Yankees next week, and his subsequent turn in the rotation could set him up for a dramatic showdown with Skubal in Kansas City on Sept. 17.
Ragans (10-9) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over five-plus innings.
Ragans left his previous start Monday against Cleveland due to calf/hamstring cramping, but he didn't seem to be impacted at all by the issue Saturday. While the left-hander gave up five runs for the first time since late June, only one of the hits against him (a triple) went for extra bases. In fact, at one point early in the contest Ragans struck out eight straight batters, and he didn't allow his first hit until the fourth frame. Ragans' undoing was the sixth inning, when he struggled with his control -- in addition to allowing three hits, he also walked a batter, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch, and he didn't notch any outs before he was pulled. Aside from that frame, Ragans was dominant, and he notched his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season while tallying an impressive 22 whiffs.
Royals' Cole Ragans: Ready to go for Saturday's start
Rotowire
Ragans (calf/hamstring) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Saturday's game against the Astros, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Ragans had to be lifted from his last outing Monday versus the Guardians due to cramping in his left calf and hamstring. However, manager Matt Quatraro said after the game that the lefty was "fine," and it appears he's officially a go for his next scheduled start. Ragans will bring a 3.28 ERA and 187:54 K:BB over 156.1 innings into action Saturday.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Ragans (calf/hamstring) is "fine" after exiting Monday's start versus the Guardians due to cramping, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Ragans was pulled after walking the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning due to cramping in his left calf and hamstring. However, he had already thrown 94 pitches by that point, with Quatraro noting that the lefty was likely going to be lifted soon, anyway. He'll need to get through a normal between-starts throwing session first, but Ragans sounds like he's on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday in Houston.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Leaves outing due to cramp
Rotowire
Ragans was removed from Monday's start against the Guardians in the fifth inning due to a left calf/hamstring cramp, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
After issuing a four-pitch walk to Lane Thomas to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, Ragans motioned to the dugout that something wasn't right. After a brief conversation with the trainer and manager Matt Quatraro, Ragans exited the field. Thankfully, he doesn't appear to be dealing with a long-term injury, although it's too soon to know whether Ragans' availability for his next start might be affected. He was charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over four-plus innings before being removed.
Ragans (10-8) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over five-plus innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Angels.
Ragans had won three straight starts and five of his last six entering Tuesday. The Angels were able to tag him for multiple runs in the fourth and sixth innings, and the Royals' offense didn't cover the damage. Ragans has had few poor outings -- this was just the sixth time all year he's given up four or more runs. Ragans has a 3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 183:50 K:BB over 152.1 innings through 26 starts. The southpaw's next outing is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.
Ragans (10-7) picked up the win Wednesday against the Twins, allowing one earned run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out eight without issuing a walk.
The only run surrendered by Ragans came on a solo shot by Carlos Santana in the fourth inning. Other than that blemish, Ragans cruised through seven innings, striking out eight or more batters for the first time since July 5. The southpaw has now collected wins in five of his past six starts, pitching to a 2.87 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB in 37.2 innings during that stretch. He'll look to stay in the win column in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week against the Angels.
