Kansas City Royals Win 5th Straight, Stay Perfect in May

When your backup pitcher delivers a stellar performance in his first game of the season, you know something special is happening with your team.

The Kansas City Royals called on Stephen Kolek Tuesday night after starter Noah Cameron couldn't play due to back tightness. Kolek, who hadn't pitched since February because of an injury, stepped onto the mound at Kauffman Stadium and helped lead the Royals to a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

The win marked Kansas City's fifth straight victory and kept their May record spotless. Just two weeks ago, the team was struggling through an eight-game losing streak that had fans worried about the season ahead.

Kolek pitched six solid innings, allowing just three runs. His only rough moment came when Cleveland's Rhys Hoskins hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, briefly giving the Guardians the lead.

But the Royals showed the resilience that's defined their recent hot streak. Salvador Perez drove in two runs in the first inning to give Kansas City an early lead. After falling behind, Michael Massey answered with a two-run homer to reclaim the advantage.

Isaac Collins added an insurance run with a solo homer in the sixth inning. Collins finished the night with three hits, coming just a triple short of hitting for the cycle.

The Bright Side

The Royals have now come from behind to win in four straight games and six of their last seven victories. Their ability to stay calm when trailing has transformed them from a team that couldn't stop losing into one that can't seem to lose at all.

Since snapping that brutal eight-game skid on April 21, Kansas City has gone 10-3. The depth of their roster is showing too, with Kolek proving the team can win even when key starters are sidelined.

For a team and fanbase that endured such a painful losing streak just weeks ago, watching the Royals rattle off win after win feels especially sweet.