Yordano Ventura’s first pitch to Brett Lawrie during his second plate appearance bounced in the opposite batter’s box. The next pitch was equally misguided but by the unspoken rules of baseball gamesmanship placed precisely where Ventura wanted it.
The 99 mph fastball drilled Lawrie’s side, and Kauffman Stadium erupted in cheers as Lawrie walked to first base without looking at Ventura. He expected the delivery.
So did home plate umpire Jim Joyce, who immediately heaved Ventura, and as that was happening, the dugouts and bullpens emptied but without confrontation.
The deed was done.
By then, so were the Royals, 5-0 losers to the A’s on Saturday.