Kansas City Royals Beat St. Louis Cardinals Despite Pitching Struggles
堪薩斯市皇家隊儘管投球表現不佳，仍擊敗聖路易紅雀隊
Introduction
The Kansas City Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 on Friday, resulting in another loss for St. Louis in the current series.
堪薩斯市皇家隊在週五以 6-3 擊敗聖路易紅雀隊，導致聖路易在本次系列賽中再次失利。
Main Body
The game began with St. Louis taking an early two-run lead. This was made possible by a sacrifice fly from Jordan Walker in the first inning and a run-scoring hit by Iván Herrera in the third. However, the situation changed in the fourth inning when Michael McGreevy's performance declined. The Royals took advantage of this, scoring four runs through contributions from Lane Thomas, Jac Caglianone, Michael Massey, and Isaac Collins to take a 4-2 lead.
比賽開始時，聖路易率先取得兩分領先。這得益於 Jordan Walker 在第一局的犧牲飛以及 Iván Herrera 在第三局的得分安打。然而，情況在第四局發生變化，當時 Michael McGreevy 的表現下滑。皇家隊乘勢而上，透過 Lane Thomas、Jac Caglianone、Michael Massey 和 Isaac Collins 的貢獻攻下四分，取得 4-2 的領先。
St. Louis continued to struggle in the fifth inning when Jac Caglianone hit a 404-foot home run. In total, McGreevy pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and five earned runs. Experts emphasized that this performance was expected; although he started the season with a strong 2.10 ERA, computer models had predicted his actual performance would eventually drop to a higher ERA above 5.00.
聖路易在第五局繼續陷入苦戰，當時 Jac Caglianone擊出了一支 404 英呎的全壘打。總計來說，McGreevy 投了五局，被擊出八次安打並失五分（自責分）。專家強調此表現是在預料之中的；儘管他賽季初擁有 2.10 的強勁防禦率，但電腦模型曾預測其實際表現最終會下滑，防禦率將上升至 5.00 以上。
Although the Cardinals struggled to score for a while, they made a late attempt in the ninth inning. Masyn Winn and Blaze Jordan both got hits, which reduced the score to 6-5. However, the rally ended when Jose Fermin grounded into a fielder's choice. Notably, the Royals won this game even though their star shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr., was missing due to a knee injury.
雖然紅雀隊一度陷入得分困難，但他們在第九局發起最後衝擊。Masyn Winn 和 Blaze Jordan 均擊出安打，將比分追至 6-5。然而，當 Jose Fermin 擊出內野選擇（fielder's choice）時，反攻戛然而止。值得注意的是，儘管明星遊擊手 Bobby Witt Jr. 因膝蓋傷勢缺陣，皇家隊依然贏得了這場比賽。
Conclusion
The series will end on Sunday, with Dustin May starting for St. Louis against Stephen Kolek.
系列賽將於週日結束，聖路易將由 Dustin May 先發對陣 Stephen Kolek。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'Contrast Pivot': Moving Beyond 'But'
At the A2 level, students usually connect opposite ideas with but. However, to reach B2, you need to use Concession Markers. These allow you to acknowledge one fact while emphasizing a more important one.
🔍 The Pattern in the Text
Look at how the author describes the game. Instead of just saying 'He was good, but then he was bad,' the text uses:
*"Although he started the season with a strong 2.10 ERA... performance would eventually drop."
*"The Royals won this game even though their star shortstop... was missing."
🛠️ How to use it
1. Although / Even though These go at the start of a clause to show a surprise or a contradiction.
- A2 Style: I was tired, but I finished the work.
- B2 Style: Even though I was tired, I finished the work.
2. Despite / In spite of These are the 'Power Tools.' They are followed by a noun or a -ing verb, never a full sentence with a subject and verb.
- Text Example: *"...Beat St. Louis Cardinals Despite Pitching Struggles"
- Breakdown: "Pitching struggles" is a noun phrase. You cannot say "Despite he struggled." You must say "Despite the struggles."
🚀 Quick Upgrade Table
| A2 (Simple) | B2 (Advanced) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| But | Although | + Subject + Verb |
| But | Despite | + Noun / Gerund |
| So | Consequently | Use to start a new sentence |