High-leverage, low stress: Royals' revamped 'pen deals again

KANSAS CITY -- The bullpen gates swung open in between the eighth and ninth innings Wednesday night, and the lights started flickering at Kauffman Stadium.

Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” blared through the PA system louder than usual.

For the first time in quite some time, the Royals are putting together a closer’s entrance. It’s for James McArthur, but everyone felt a shot of adrenaline as the Royals took the field for the top of the ninth inning in their eventual 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

“That was huge,” shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said, grinning. “I got the chills, for sure.”

McArthur, the 27-year-old starter-turned-reliever the Royals acquired in a minor trade with the Phillies last May, has emerged as Kansas City’s closer, and following the lights-flickering entrance Wednesday night, McArthur was lights-out again.

“It brought a lot of energy for me,” McArthur said. “Got the adrenaline pumping a little more.”

He struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning, his sinker averaging 95.8 mph -- 1.4 mph higher than his season average. His curveball was a tick higher in velocity and registered two whiffs, while also freezing second baseman Cavan Biggio for strike three and the final out of the game.

It was McArthur’s second save in as many nights after a six-out save in Tuesday’s win, and it was the second consecutive night the bullpen came up big across 4 2/3 innings. Manager Matt Quatraro used the same late-inning relievers but followed a different path.

After starter Alec Marsh exited in the top of the fifth inning because of a right forearm contusion, lefty Angel Zerpa came in unexpectedly and gave up two runs in 1 2/3 innings to bridge the gap to the Royals’ high-leverage relievers. Quatraro was able to turn to them because the offense manufactured a lead with good baserunning and situational hitting.

“That’s Royals baseball,” said Witt, who had a walk, two stolen bases and an RBI single. “We’ve got to keep doing that. Get on the basepaths, be aggressive, make things happen. The bats will come around. We’ll hit some homers. But that’s our baseball, and that’s what we’re going to keep doing.”

The Royals left more on the table in the fifth when they loaded the bases with one out and left them all stranded. But the bullpen made sure it didn’t matter.

“We’re going to have to do that,” Quatraro said. “Long ball wasn’t a part of it tonight. Still only three runs, but the pitching made it stand up.”

Schreiber came in for the seventh inning and tossed up all zeros, lowering his season ERA to 0.75 across 13 appearances and earning Wednesday’s win. Chris Stratton came in for a scoreless eighth inning and struck out two, marking his ninth scoreless outing in 11 appearances this season, notching his second hold of the season.

A day earlier, it was flipped: Stratton came in early to throw 1 2/3 innings and earned Tuesday’s win, while Schreiber tossed a scoreless seventh for his team-high fifth hold.

What didn’t change was McArthur locking it down to earn his sixth save of the year, throwing 13 of his 16 pitches for strikes.

“We all have the same game plan: Go out there and get the job done and hand it off to the next person,” Schreiber said. “That’s the mindset we’ve got, and just stick to it.”

After allowing 14 runs in 15 2/3 innings through the first six games of the season, Royals relievers have allowed just 16 earned runs in 66 innings (2.18 ERA) since then.

The Royals revamped their bullpen this offseason by bringing in veteran strike-throwers. They began the year with Will Smith in the closer role, but he lasted only a few games before Quatraro turned to McArthur, who continues to lean on his new teammates as he learns how to pitch out of the bullpen.

Because of his stuff and his calm demeanor, he’s learning on the job and in the biggest moments.

“He senses the moment, and he had plenty in the tank,” Quatraro said.

There will be days when the Royals’ high-leverage relievers aren’t available. There will be days when McArthur enters earlier than the ninth if Schreiber is down. Or days that Schreiber, Stratton or someone else gets save opportunities.

The Royals are ready for that. For now, roles are being carved out.

“I believe anybody here can get the job done,” Schreiber said. “Obviously, McArthur has been locking it down, and he’s been awesome. I think that position or role is pretty locked in. As for other innings, I think we’re all capable of getting the job done. That’s our mindset.”