Final Score: SDP 3 | KC 4

Overall Record: 36-25

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Will Klein (1-0 | 6.00 ERA)
• L: Yuki Matsui (3-1 | 3.91 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Nelson Velázquez

Pinch-Hit Two-Run Triple to Tie Game in the Ninth (1-1, 3B, R)

Due to the nature of the situation you have to name Nelson Velazquez the Player of the Game. One of the most difficult things to do in baseball is pinch hit, especially down by two with the tying run on first. With the speed of Dairon Blanco you know that if you hit one in the gap it’s tied. Nelson hit it over the head of center fielder Jackson Merrill, and it’s hard not to see why the Royals have so much faith in Velazquez. I mean, if it wasn’t for the game being played in Kauffman Stadium, he would’ve tied the game with that shot in the ninth. Nelson coming through in the moment is so key for his development though. It’s important to see success in big moments in the early stages of a career. It’ll let you see what a player has inside of him. Look out for Nelly in the future. If he can keep it together this June, it’s going to be an exciting month to see his career take shape. 

Key Highlights

This one was a pitchers duel throughout. Trading knockout blows from side to side. With Michael King and Cole Ragans truly putting on a show through the first six innings. Outside of a sacrifice fly from Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth, and the inevitable Luis Arraez single knocking in a run with two outs, this one was quiet until the eighth. Michael King is a really solid arm man. He seems to surprise me every time he’s on the mound. He has that silent assassin in him, where he can go seven strong, only allow a run, and you barely scratch across. Cole Ragans was also something special today, continuing his solid 2024, only allowing a run in six strong innings. Making it another quality start for Royals starting pitchers. 

It was nice to see some great intensity from Ragans after his final strikeout in the sixth. You need guys that bring that bulldog mentality, and Cole Ragans is one of those dudes. 

We head to the eighth where we get a weird outing from Angel Zerpa. I was literally just singing his praises on Friday, and here we are where he doesn’t record an out, and gets replaced while giving up two runs. RBI singles from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado are to blame as the Padres take a 3-1 lead. Which makes way for James McArthur, and I know a lot of people were squirming when manager Matt Quatraro made that decision. Give credit where credit is due though. Quartaro showed his faith in him, and James McArthur shoved! Stranded all his runners and got out of the inning. Great to see from an arm that looked like he hit rock bottom on Friday. Will Klein shows up and has a clean inning, striking out the last batter with 98 mph cheese. Klein looks like he might have a shot to stay. Which takes us to the bottom of the ninth, where a Vinnie single, and Salvador Perez walk gives us two on for the man of the hour, Nelson Velazquez. As we know from earlier, he jumps on a pitch from Matsui and ties the game. Showing some extreme passion after getting to third. 

Nick Loftin then steps up to try to be the hero. He hits a fly ball to right field and the game is over! A second sacrifice of the game for Nick Loftin, who sends all the Royals fans home happy after scoring three in the bottom of the ninth to take the lead. 

Wow. What a finish. We have seen these rallies come up short in the past couple weeks with leads getting trimmed down in the final minutes but not finishing the job. Today, these pesky Royals got it done, and they needed to because they have a huge series coming up. They can use all the momentum they can get, and I’ll be honest. I would’ve been concerned with a loss heading into the next series. But this team is DIFFERENT. These aren’t the old Royals who won’t come through, they’re ready to win now. So, get your popcorn ready, cause we got a good one coming up.

Summary of the Next Game

The next one is the biggest series of the year so far. The Royals will head to Cleveland with a date with the division leading Guardians. Seth Lugo, the Royals ace, will head to the mound with his MLB leading 1.72 ERA. But his work will be cut out for him against a Cleveland lineup that includes the MLB leader in RBI, Jose Ramirez. Triston McKenzie will toe the slab for the Guardians, who’s having a really solid season although he hasn’t been able to get a decision the past little bit. The Royals will try to make a statement against their rivals that they have had issues with in the past. Tuesday at 5:40 CST is gametime. Be in your seats for this one, cause both teams are HOT to start the season.

Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports