Whit Merrifield (photo/KCRoyals.com)
The Royals split their day night doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, winning the afternoon game 3-2 and losing the nightcap 5-2. For lefty reliever Brian Flynn and left fielder Whit Merrifield, they both accomplished a “first” in their career. Flynn won his first major league game and Merrifield collected his first major league hit in his first major league start.
Flynn, drafted in the 7th round by Detroit in 2011, made five starts over the 2013 and 2014 season with the Miami Marlins. He also made a relief appearance. On November 14, 2014, Flynn came to Kansas City in a trade that sent Aaron Crow to Miami. Flynn was making his fourth appearance of the season when he came on in relief of starter Ian Kennedy with two outs in the top of the sixth in game one.
Flynn had a runner on first and two outs and was in to face Jackie Bradley Jr. to give Ned Yost the lefty-on-lefty matchup. Flynn struck out Bradley Jr. to end the inning and the Royals then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Luke Hochever, Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis held up the 3-2 advantage, giving Flynn his first win, throwing a total of five pitches.
For Merrifield it’s been a long wait to get to the majors. He was drafted by the Royals in the ninth round in 2010 and made minor league stops in Burlington, Wilmington, Northwest Arkansas, Surprise, AZ., back to Northwest Arkansas and Omaha, Mexico for winter ball and Omaha the last two seasons. Finally, at the age of 27 he made his first major league start.
Merrifield on his first hit
Merrifield played left field and in the fifth inning, got his first major league hit. After flying to center field his first time up against former Cy Young winner David Price, Merrifield pulled a pitch between the third and short hole. (VIDEO/MLB.com, Fox Sports)