KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Royals secured a dramatic 6-5 victory against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night, ending an eight-game losing streak.
Maikel Garcia scored the winning run on a wild pitch, showcasing the Royals’ resilience in a tightly contested game.
The Royals rallied in the ninth inning, with Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. drawing walks. Vinnie Pasquantino struck out, but the runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch from Ryan Helsley. Salvador Perez was at bat when Helsley delivered another wild pitch, allowing Garcia to dash home for the win.
Key Moments of the Game
Lucas Erceg earned his first relief win since April 7, managing to navigate a challenging ninth inning despite a leadoff walk. The Royals’ relief pitchers had struggled during the losing streak, suffering six losses and posting a 7.71 ERA.
The game took a turn in the eighth inning when the Orioles briefly took a 5-4 lead, thanks to Adley Rutschman’s first home run of the season. However, Michael Massey responded by hitting a home run in the bottom of the eighth, ending Rico Garcia’s streak of 11 hitless innings.
Player Performances
Rutschman, who returned from the injured list after missing ten games due to left ankle inflammation, contributed significantly with two hits. Coby Mayo provided an early advantage for the Orioles, hitting a 439-foot home run in the second inning.
Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel had a standout performance, doubling twice and recording three hits, breaking a 13 at-bat hitless streak. Starting pitcher Kris Bubic allowed three runs over six innings, while Shane Baz of the Orioles gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Upcoming Matchup
The series finale will feature Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt, who holds a 0-2 record with a 6.19 ERA, facing off against Royals right-hander Michael Wacha, who is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA. The matchup promises to be a critical game for both teams as they seek to gain momentum.