Royals Hit Seven Homers and Set a Franchise Record, as They Outlast Orioles

Record: 19-16

Winning/Losing Pitcher:

W: Angel Zerpa (2-0 | 4.15 ERA)

L: Yennier Cano (0-1 | 1.54 ERA)

Key Highlights

Bang Bang! This one the bats were on the attack from both sides. Just a barn burner, with offense busting out the sides. With that said, both starters were veterans that had been around the block, so that’s usually how these type of games are bred as well. Both started with clean innings, with Kyle Gibson and Michael Lorenzen giving up contact but making it out scoreless. 

That was the end of the stressless innings on both sides so strap in for this one.

Maikel Garcia got the party started with a solo homer to continue his incredible series so far. Just a good piece of hitting from Maikel, and thankfully we’ll see more of that soon enough. Like I stated, this one was a see saw matchup today so we went back and forth all after noon. Jackson Holliday answered right back with a solo homer of his own. Adley Rutschman had an RBI double, and the Orioles took a 2-1 lead. Until the very next inning, where after a Salvador Perez single and Hunter Renfroe double, the Royals had runners at second and third with two outs for Drew Waters. Who came through once again to continue this good stretch of ball for him, and to give the Royals the lead at 3-2. 

Okay get ready, this is where it goes blow for blow, back and forth. Jackson Holliday hits ANOTHER homer against Michael Lorenzen, and we finally see the flash and tools that made him the best prospect in baseball last season. So the game is tied 3-3, until Jonathan India hits his first homer as a Royal. A line drive shot right into the left field seats. 

We gotta get India going as soon as possible, and this will help. But wait, there’s more! Cedrick Mullins continues his reign over the Royals, with a solo shot of his own. Then worst of all, Ryan O’Hearn takes advantage once again, hitting another home run in the series to make give the Orioles the lead 5-4. You can’t make this up, the Ryan O’Hearn crap or this game, it’s crazy. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier today, Maikel Garcia hits his second homer of the day. Right down the middle and deposited right over the bird bath in left center. Then it got quiet for like, one inning. 

Back to it. Yennier Cano entered the game, the Royals couldn’t do anything against on Friday night, and effectively ended Bobby Witt Jr.’s 22 game hit streak. This time Bob made him pay, hitting a go ahead solo home run. It didn’t stop there, right as Bob passed home plate, Vinnie Pasquantino hit one to match. Back-to-back jacks for the 2-3 hitters in the Royals lineup and there are homers galore in this one. 

That makes nine on the day (so far). Of course Luke Maile came up and hit a dinger in his next at bat as well. To make it TEN SOLO HOME RUNS ON THE DAY. What a stat that is. 

And this is from the broadcast, but it was the first time in major league history that the first ten home runs in the game are all solo. Woah. What a stat. 

Lucas Erceg inherited a couple runners in the eighth and got out of it swiftly, as Lucas Erceg does. What a pickup and what a dawg that the Royals organization picked up las lt year. Michael Massey gets in on the home run parade with a two-run shot in the ninth to put the nail in the coffin. Good for Massey who needs anything, and I mean anything, to fall for him at this point.

Taylor Clarke had a scoreless frame to end it, and the Royals take the series finale rubber match. A franchise record seven home runs in the ballgame for the Royals in this one, so the offense was plentiful. Not often that you get the Curt Nelson “this day in Royals history” days happening in real life, but thankfully this May the 4th will stay recognizable for more than just a reference. I hope there’s not a dry spell after this one. But to focus on Sunday, just a resilient win from a team that really needed to prove to itself they were good enough, and now they get to come home to a baseball team that isn’t playing that hot to start the season. 

Royals Player of the Game

Maikel Garcia 

3-5, 2 HR (4), 2 RBI

Now *this* is pod-racing (Obligatory May the 4th reference). Maikel Garcia this whole season has shown flashes of breaking out this whole season, and I think I’m ready to just mark this the Maikel game. Although, so many other offensive outbursts happened in this one, so we might want to wait til Maikel drives the bus himself. But this season he’s done that, and continued his hot hitting into May. I think Maikel has the opportunity to be the ultimate spark plug and underestimated bat in this lineup. We’re not far from Maikel and Bob competing for multiple stat categories consistently, that’s what this guy brings. If you’re able to really round out this roster and solidify Maikel into a power/speed combo that KNOWS how to hit, you unlocked another Acuña. That’s high praise I know, but it will not be long for others to catch on if he keeps slamming the stick like this. Holy moly, two bombs today that were killed, and a single to boot at the end. Proving he’s the hitter we think, not trying too hard when he doesn’t have to. Just flawless execution, and six consecutive hits for him in the series! This series was Maikel coded the whole time and he is the reason we ended up taking two of three. Another fun nugget, a .522 BA and .1430 OPS on the roadtrip for Maikel. Just cleaning it up at the major league level. I cannot wait to see how Maikel continues to develop the rest of the season, and if he keeps it up: look out for a another 20/20 season by a Royal. 

Summary of the Next Game: 

The Royals will hope the offense follows them back home, as they take on the White Sox in a four game series. A BIG series for Kansas City against a team that they dominated in the 2024 season. They could really get some space in the central if they can take advantage, but you have to put in the work first. The White Sox will send out one of the few bright spots for them this year in Shane Smith. You probably haven’t heard of this arm, but he is putting it all out there while he gets his opportunity. He has a 2.23 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 32.1 IP this year. Part of those young arms the White Sox have. I think the Royals can power through, but they have struggled against solid starters this year so that’s one to watch. Cole Ragans heads back to the mound after they skipped his last start due to some groin tightness. Although it was precautionary, it is something to look towards, to see if he continues to look the same. Some have noticed his pitch speeds being down, and have speculated something more than a groin strain so I hope Cole gets back on track. Kauffman Stadium at 6:40 on Monday. That’s when we’ll see a divisional matchup, and the Royals need to stay hot. This is a prime opportunity to stack some wins in.