What happened: The Kansas City Royals tagged Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez for six runs in the first inning of Monday's contest. The massive early outburst established a commanding 6-1 lead for the home club.
Why it matters: Sánchez entered the outing boasting a stellar 2.00 ERA, making the immediate onslaught highly uncharacteristic. The surge shifted momentum in a matchup where the series currently stands tied 1-1.
By the numbers: Before taking the mound, the pitcher held the second-lowest earned run average in the majors. The Royals began the day carrying a 35-54 record while averaging 4.1 runs per contest.
What to watch: The game remains in progress. Philadelphia will need extensive work from its relief corps to