New Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans, part of Chapman trade, impresses in debut

Kansas City Royals starter Cole Ragans made his long-awaited (of two weeks) debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

And he was as good as advertised.

Ragans, who was acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, allowed one run in five innings of work. He surrendered four hits, two walks and struck out three batters.

“Today felt like a debut all over again,” Ragans said. “All the nerves, excitement and adrenaline. It was nice to get out there.”

The Rays were limited offensively. Ragans dazzled with his fastball that averaged 97.5 mph and balanced it with a solid changeup, cutter and curveball.

In the first inning, Ragans worked around potential trouble. He worked around two walks and a single before settling in. He threw 81 pitches, but earned a no-decision as the Royals fell 4-2 to the Rays in Game 2 of a split doubleheader.

Game 1? A young Royals pitcher impressed, but KC couldn’t get the win.

“I had the two walks and, obviously, I don’t like those,” Ragans said. “I worked through it and calmed myself down. After that, I kind of filled it up a little better and got ahead. It helps a lot.”

The Rays grabbed an early lead in the first inning. Rays star Randy Arozarena hit an RBI single to drive home teammate Wander Franco. The Royals responded as Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly. The teams traded leads until the late innings.

Tampa Bay broke through with three runs after the sixth. Rays pinch-hitter Josh Lowe provided the big blow with an RBI triple in the seventh. First baseman Luke Raley followed with a go-ahead single in the eighth inning.

KC put together a late rally. However, Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks worked around a single to earn his 10th save.

The Royals dropped to 26-67, ending a day in which they introduced first-round pick Blake Mitchell to media on a sour note.

Here are more notables from Game 2:

Cole Ragans touches 99 mph

The Royals got a closer look at Ragans on Saturday night. He was selected as the 27th man for the split doubleheader (due to weather postponing Friday’s game) against the Rays.

Ragans featured a plus fastball in his start. He threw four pitches that eclipsed 99 mph against the Rays.

In the first inning, Ragans struck out Rays outfielder Jose Siri with the heater. He threw 39 fastballs and generated 23 swings, five whiffs and two called strikes.

“I’ve seen him throw before so it really doesn’t surprise me at all,” Royals first baseman Nick Pratto said. “He was nails today and it was really good to see.”

Ragans became the first Royals left-handed pitcher to touch 99 mph in a game since Danny Duffy in 2013.

The Royals optioned Ragans back to Triple-A Omaha after his start.

Nick Pratto snaps hitless skid

Royals first baseman Nick Pratto has struggled in July. Prior to Saturday’s doubleheader, Pratto was hitting .138 (4 for 38) in eight games.

Pratto went hitless in Game 1 against the Rays. As a result, the Royals dropped Pratto in the lineup against Rays opener Shawn Armstrong. Pratto hit eighth in the nightcap and it led to improved results.

In the third inning, Pratto hit a leadoff double. He later scored as Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly.

“It always feels good to get a hit,” Pratto said.

Pratto went 2 for 3 in the game. He has now reached base in 31 of his last 39 games where he has recorded an official at-bat.

“They just left pitches over the plate and I was able to handle them better,” Pratto said. “I’m just working through some things and hoping that it shows up.”

What’s next: The Royals will conclude their three-game series against the Rays. Brady Singer will start Sunday against Zach Eflin.