Long ball still an issue for Muñoz in loss

[Kevin Barral]

Roddery Muñoz surrendered three home runs. That was more than enough support for Cole Ragans, who struck out 11 Marlins batters.

Cole Ragans has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. On Monday, when the Marlins took an early 1-0 lead and had the Royals hitless through three innings, Ragans turned it up a notch and recorded his second-highest strikeout total of the season in route to a 4-1 victory over the Marlins.

Entering the game, Ragans had posted a 3.13 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 10.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 through 16 starts in 2024. Against the Marlins, Ragans struck out 11, limiting the Marlins to one run off of four hits and three walks. The Royals starter generated 26 whiffs, with the most coming on his changeup. His fastball averaged 96.2 mph and he generated seven whiffs with.

In the top of the third inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. worked a full-count walk and it was followed by a Bryan De La Cruz RBI double, scoring Chisholm scored all the way from first base.

Overall, though, the Marlins struggled to get much quality contact off of the left-handed pitcher. Only five hard-hit balls against Ragans.

After keeping the Royals offense hitless through three innings, Roddery Muñoz allowed Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez to hit back-to-back home runs to take a 2-1 lead.

Hunter Renfroe's sixth-inning solo shot was the longest of them all, traveling 434 feet. Monday marked the fifth time in 2024 that Muñoz has allowed multiple home runs in a start. Only Logan Allen of the Guardians has had more of those games this season.

Muñoz used his entire five-pitch mix, but did not record more than three whiffs with any of them (10 total whiffs). His final line was 6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (93 pitches).

The Marlins continue to get dominated by left-handers. They're now 4-24 when their opponents use a lefty starter. Ragans and three Kansas City relievers combined for 15 strikeouts, the second-highest total for the Marlins offense this season (17 K on June 15 vs. WSH).

With the loss, the Miami Marlins drop to 27-51 while the Royals improve to 43-37. Yonny Chirinos will toe the rubber against Brady Singer on Tuesday. First pitch is at 8:10 pm.

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