Whit Merrifield’s Iron Man Streak Ends Ahead of Tigers Doubleheader

Merrifield had one heck of a run but due to a toe injury, it's coming to an end.

The Kansas City Royals defeated the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, clinching their first home series victory since mid-April against the Minnesota Twins. 

In Sunday's game, it was starting pitcher Zack Greinke who led the way for the winning team. In five shutout innings of work, the veteran allowed three hits and a walk while tying his season-high with five strikeouts and also tossing his 50,000th career pitch at the big-league level. On offense, the Royals had four singles that led to all five of their runs being scored in the 5-1 series-clinching win. 

On Monday, the 32-52 Royals are back home at Kauffman Stadium and are hosting their American League Central rivals in the 36-49 Detroit Tigers. This is the first of two Monday outings between the two clubs, as the evening contest will feature RHP Alex Faedo squaring off against LHP Daniel Lynch. With a series sweep, Kansas City can overtake Detroit in the AL Central standings by having a one-game advantage in the loss column. 

Here's how the Royals will line up in this afternoon's game:

Starting Pitchers (game one)

Kansas City: RHP Brad Keller (4-9, 4.37 ERA)
Detroit: RHP Michael Pineda (2-3, 3.62 ERA)

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup (game one)

1. Michael A. Taylor (R) - DH
2. Andrew Benintendi (L) - LF
3. Bobby Witt Jr. (R) - SS
4. Vinnie Pasquantino (L) - 1B
5. Emmanuel Rivera (R) - 3B
6. Ryan O'Hearn (L) - RF
7. Kyle Isbel (L) - CF
8. Cam Gallagher (R) - C
9. Nicky Lopez (L) - 2B

Whit Merrifield's consecutive games played streak ends

Jun 18, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Whit Merrifield (15) hits an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The section header in Monday's Royals game notes says it all: All good things must end. Unfortunately for the Royals, this applied to Whit Merrifield's franchise-record consecutive games played streak as well. For the first time since June of 2018, Merrifield will not play in a game for Kansas City as he recovers from a right-toe injury that currently has him in a walking boot and could have him miss a couple of weeks. This ends his streak at 553 contests, which is the 25th-longest streak in the history of Major League Baseball and trailed the legendary Cal Ripken Jr.'s all-time record by 2,079 games. Merrifield has been a mainstay in the Royals' lineup for years on end and as he deals with this injury, the club will look to offset his loss both in the field and in the batter's box.

Royals announce flurry of Monday morning roster moves

Jun 22, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Daniel Lynch (52) pitches in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In advance of their Monday doubleheader, the Royals shuffled some things around in regards to their active roster picture. LHP Angel Zerpa was recalled and made the club's 27th man, and LHP Daniel Lynch rejoined the team after a rehab stint in an effort to work his way back from a blister. Lynch is the aforementioned starter for the evening game on Monday. In a corresponding move, Kansas City has designated LHP Foster Griffin for assignment. In 4^1/3 innings with the big-league club this year, Griffin has surrendered six earned runs and issued four walks.

Follow Along

First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. CST and 7:10 p.m. CST
TV: Bally Sports Kansas City
Radio: KCSP 610 AM

For more Kansas City Royals news, coverage and analysis, be sure to bookmark Inside the Royals and follow the site on Twitter @InsideRoyals.