The Kansas City Royals secured a dominant 13-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds, fueled by Dairon Blanco’s career-night. Batting ninth in the lineup, Blanco, known for his speed on the bases, delivered a display of power. He hit two home runs—including his first career grand slam, marking the first time in his professional career, including in Cuba, that he has hit a grand slam—and drove in a career-high seven runs. His performance marked the first time a Royals player had seven RBIs in a game since Omar Infante achieved the feat on September 17, 2015.
Blanco’s first home run of the night came in the second inning against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. The ball left the bat at 104.4 mph, traveled 408 feet to center field, and came off an 88.5 mph changeup. This blast marked Blanco’s second home run of the season.
The Royals’ offense exploded in the third inning, scoring seven runs. The highlight of the inning was Blanco’s grand slam, a 405-foot shot to left field off an 81.2 mph slider from right-hander Buck Farmer. This grand slam was Blanco’s third home run of the season, matching his total from last year.
Blanco’s impact extended beyond his home runs. In the fourth inning, he added an RBI single, driving in Freddy Fermin and bringing his RBI total to seven for the night. Every Royal recorded a hit and scored, contributing to a total of 15 hits for the team. Blanco’s performance was part of a larger offensive surge for the Royals, who saw contributions from multiple players.
With this win, the Royals improved to 68-55, while the Reds fell to 60-63. Blanco’s career night stands out as a memorable chapter in the Royals’ 2024 season.