Bryce Harper scores twice in win over Nationals

It’s Caglianone’s fifth career two-homer game and second with two doubles and, obviously, his first with two of both. Rather surprisingly, he’s the first player this year with four extra-base hits in a game. 13 players did it last year, with Nick Kurtz even managing five in his four-homer game. Caglianone, though, is the first Royal with four extra-base hits in a game since Kendrys Morales in 2015. Caglianone’s hits ranged from 104.9 mph to 111.9 mph. He now has 20 homers and 21 doubles in the season.

This is Lugo’s victory for the month of August, if form holds; he had one in March/April, one in May, one in June and one in July. Oddly enough, four of his five victories have come against NL teams. His only previously win in American League game came in May versus the Mariners. Given all this, it seems nearly impossible that he’ll beat the Angels next weekend. Though, maybe the fact that he’s facing the Angels will trump all of that.

Pearson gave up a leadoff double to Michael Conforto, but he then got Dansby Swanson to popout and struck out both Pedro Ramírez and Pete Crow-Armstrong. He’s thrown 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Kansas City since being dropped by the Astros. There isn’t any particular reason to be optimistic about the former top prospect at this point, but he might keep getting save chances in the beleaguered Royals bullpen.

In his first start in nearly three months since suffering a fractured fibula, Holmes allowed six hits, walked two and struck out one in two trips around the Royals order. Jac Caglianone got to him both times, homering in the first and then doubling and scoring in the third. Holmes did at least do a pretty good job of getting most of the rest of the Royals to hit the ball on the ground. He might have another shaky start or two this month, but he’ll probably be somewhat useful in mixed leagues the rest of the way. He’ll face the Cardinals next.

Rea pitched the second half of the game after Clay Holmes surrendered four runs in four innings. Besides a couple of times working behind openers, it was Rea’s first relief appearance since Apr. 3. This might be Rea’s role of the foreseeable future after the Cubs acquired Holmes and Kevin Gausman at the deadline. They also have Edward Cabrera on the way back, potentially making things even more crowded in the rotation.