Soler, Gordon, Franco hit three consecutive homers in final intrasquad game

It was a pitcher’s duel of sorts early until three Kansas City Royals connected on back-to-back-to-back homers in the final intrasquad game Saturday.

Danny Duffy made his final start for the home squad Royals. Duffy will take the mound on the season opener in Cleveland on July 24. Opposing him for the visiting Royals was the young lefty Foster Griffin.

Duffy ran into trouble in the first inning. Brett Phillips roped a single, two batters later top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. drove a double over Jorge Soler’s head in right. Seuly Matias singled up the middle to bring home both Phillips and Witt Jr. and give the visitors a two-run lead.

Duffy showed some frustration with the home plate umpire after walking M.J. Melendez, which ended the inning.

Danny Duffy is not amused by what he thinks is a tight strike zone tonight by the home plate umpire. Mike Matheny had some words with the ump as well, making sure he had Duffy’s back.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 18, 2020

Following the rough first inning, Duffy would settle in. He was pulled after the fourth inning and replaced by Scott Blewett.

Foster Griffin pitched an effective three innings, striking out two while walking none. A double to Adalberto Mondesí was the lone hit allowed.

Glenn Sparkman replaced Griffin and the home Royals came alive in the fourth inning.

With Hunter Dozier on second, Jorge Soler cranked a missile into the left-field bullpen to tie the game up at two.

.@solerpower12 is finally returning the baseballs to orbit.

Nature is healing.#AlwaysRoyal pic.twitter.com/UlBjQFEPYK

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 19, 2020

Alex Gordon followed up with a homer to straightaway center, giving the home squad the lead.

Maikel Franco then drove yet another big fly out of the park to center field. The three teamed up for back-to-back-to-back jacks and made it a 4-2 game. Franco homered in last night’s intrasquad game as well.

Bobby Witt Jr. Is 3-for-3 tonight. Just ripped a double over Gordo’s head in left off of Scott Blewett.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 19, 2020

The young first baseman Nick Pratto hit an RBI double in the fifth inning off Greg Holland, scoring Nick Heath and pulling the visiting team within a run.

In the bottom of the seventh, the home squad tacked on a run after Melendez scored on a wild pitch from Jake Newberry. Ryan McBroom crushed a two-run homer to extend the home team’s lead to 7-3.

Boom-Boom McBroom just hit a towering two-run home run to center. That was a blast.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 19, 2020

The final intrasquad game came to a close after Newberry completed the seventh inning.

The Royals will play a pair of exhibition games against the Houston Astros on Monday and Tuesday and they’ll then head to St. Louis for an exhibition against the Cardinals.

The Royals will kick off the abbreviated season in Cleveland against the Indians on July 24 starting at 6:15 p.m.