Cole Ragans managed to pitch through a left hamstring cramp for 7 2/3 innings and get his first win this season. “The hammy started to tighten up and I just didn’t want to push it,” Ragans said after leading the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Sunday.

Luckily, the Royals' lefty was masterful at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland on Sunday. He pitched 7 2/3 innings, a new career high, with just one earned run allowed in Kan

The last Royals pitcher to strike out 10-plus in three straight starts was Kevin Appier in 1996. Twenty-nine seasons later, Ragans leads the majors with 34 strikeouts and hasn’t allowed a walk in his last two outings.