Final Score: TEX 3 | KC 2

Overall Record: 20-15

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Kirby Yates (3-0 | 0.00 ERA)
• L: James McArthur (1-1 | 2.79 ERA)
• S: David Robertson (1 | 1.02)

Royals Player of the Game

Vinnie Pasquantino

1-2, BB, 2 RBI, SF

On a day where things ended not as we expected, I bet they wish Vinnie would’ve had another opportunity in the 10th inning. But we digress, as the Royals had many other opportunities to take care of business today. And it was not Vinnie Pasquantino’s fault. He accounted for both runs driven in on Sunday with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and an RBI double to extend the lead to two in his next at bat in the third. Vinnie even went so far as to walk in the bottom of the eighth, letting Dairon Blanco be a menace on the basepaths. He is seeing the ball very well right now, and when Vinnie is seeing the ball well. There are not a lot of players that are better than him.

Key Highlights

We already covered how the runs were scored today, so let’s talk about the way it was pitched. And Daniel Lynch IV made a statement in his 2024 debut. He started off a bit shaky with a 25+ pitch first inning, but after that it was all cruising. You have to wonder if he was stretched out all the way, if he was going to be able to go more. In AAA, he had been going four innings more often than not, and it’s probably safe to keep Lynch at 74 pitches total. You have to give credit where it’s due though, and Lynch was spectacular versus a very tough offense. Against the reigning World Series champions, he was able to go five innings, strike out six, and finish the game with under 80 pitches. Great way to bounce back for the big lefty, who has had his struggles at the major league level. He could have spiraled out of control after that big first inning, but that is truly a marker of the coaching staff. These Royals arms look different than they have in the past, they’re not scared to come at you, and I know it’s something they were working on a lot in spring, but it’s another thing to actually do it. Lynch looks like he could be a part of this rotation in the near future, but for now, he was amazing at what he was asked to do today: give his team a chance to win in a spot start.

I hate to bring up negatives in this kind of scenario today, with the rug being pulled out from under this team at the end. But they had some serious opportunities to score today and the ninth wouldn’t have even been an issue. We said earlier that Dairon Blanco went insane, and it was a masterclass. The dude comes in cold off the bench and steals two bags back to back, to give this team a chance to take the lead on an out, and we couldn’t come through. The Rangers also had an amazing defensive play from Evan Carter to end an at bat from Michael Massey. Who has been one of the better hitters on this team of late. A wasted opportunity that ends up coming to kill you at the end, with Vinnie’s spot in the lineup eventually being the final out recorded. There were other opportunities today of course with MJ Melendez getting in scoring position a couple times with hits of his own. Guess that’s one thing you could take from today, is MJ getting back in the groove a bit. But let’s go to the Rangers runs at the end. The end is set. James McArthur makes his way from the bullpen to shut it down, and the second batter of the inning comes up, Jonah Heim. Who hits a ball off the fowl pole. Barely staying fair and continuing the game for Texas. Just a gut punch to a team that really thought they got it done. The woes continue into the 10th, with the top of that Rangers lineup being a pain in the side of McArthur. Giving up another run, that unearned runner on second at the start of extras. There are people that have been questioning why McArthur was still out there for the 10th, and it’s an easy answer. They did not have a bunch of arms available. They have used the hell out of the bullpen the past bit, and Saturday night was not helpful. Giving up 15 runs, and using anyone who could throw.

 But this proves a couple things, the Rangers have a bit more experience, clearly, and they don’t just bow out at the end. Resiliency is often the difference in the game, and the Rangers had more of it today. Also proves that this Royals team is still young and learning on the fly the rigors of a regular season. Growing pains, you’re gonna see them, and today was one of those more frustrating spots. You just have to hope they learn from this one, and if this season is any indication, my gut says they use it as fuel for the flames. 

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals will try to bounce back against one of the tougher teams in the National League. The Milwaukee Brewers come to town for a three game set at Kauffman Stadium. The Brew Crew will send out Bryse Wilson who has been really good for Milwaukee in his past year playing for them. He had a 2.58 ERA and didn’t lose a game in 2023, but this year he’s coming back down to earth a bit, although he is still a solid arm. Cole Ragans will try to right the ship and make sure the KC doesn’t lose its third in a row. Ragans will have his work cut out for him though, with one of the best young lineups in all of baseball, highlighted by young superstar William Contreras. Kauffman Stadium will still get rowdy on a Monday night, and hopefully won’t get canceled due to weather.

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images