Royals Snag Dramatic Win Over Yankees
Maikel Garcia's game-ending two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes propelled the Kansas City Royals to a thrilling 4-3 victory over New York, ensuring that the Royals avoided a four-game sweep.
Royals Stave Off Sweep
The Yankees had dominated the first three games of the series, but Kansas City fought back to claim the final matchup. The win was particularly significant for the Royals as it snapped their four-game losing streak and helped them hold onto second place in the AL Central.
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh was instrumental in the Royals' victory, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. Marsh's impressive outing ended after he allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto in the seventh but managed to retire the next three batters, wrapping up his 96-pitch effort.
Yankees' Rally Falls Short
Despite Marsh’s strong start, the Yankees were not to be easily subdued. Reliever John Schreiber faced a tough eighth inning where Anthony Rizzo brought New York within one run with a homer. A critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
However, the Royals were not done yet. In the ninth inning, Drew Waters hit an infield single against Holmes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled to bring up Garcia. Garcia delivered a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel, pulling the Royals ahead in a dramatic fashion.
Marsh's Memorable Performance
"I thought we had a good game plan going in," Marsh commented, acknowledging the support from his catcher, Freddy Fermin. "Me and [catcher Freddy Fermin] were on the same page all day. I just felt comfortable out there."
Royals manager Matt Quatraro was all praises for his team. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys. You're down. That's a really good club with an elite closer coming in," he said. "The way they hustle, the way they never quit, it's inspiring for me to come to work every day to be around these guys."
Yankees’ Strong Outing Despite Loss
Nestor Cortes was the bright spot for the Yankees, allowing just two runs over seven innings and lowering his road ERA to 5.57 from 6.17. "I thought Nestor was good," remarked Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "It was a good pitchers' duel. His fastball was playing up. He was at 90, 91, 92, but it had something on it. He had a presence on both sides."
Cortes’ performance drew comparisons to Marsh's, with Boone commenting, "I thought he did a good job, like Marsh, of mixing things up to give us seven strong innings."
Defensive Woes and Key Plays
However, defensive mistakes proved costly for both teams. The Royals’ sixth-inning threat was cut short when Bobby Witt Jr., who extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning, was caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes. Witt had scored earlier on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double but found himself unlucky in the sixth.
Quatraro was ejected in the same inning for arguing obstruction by Gleyber Torres, further adding drama to an already tense game. "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going," Marsh revealed. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.’"
Looking Ahead
The Royals hope to build on this victory, using the momentum to strengthen their position in the AL Central. James McArthur's scoreless ninth inning secured the win for Kansas City and highlighted the bullpen's potential in clutch moments.
The Yankees, on the other hand, need to regroup after this setback. Despite their strong showing in the first three games, New York's inability to seal the sweep will be a point of focus as they look ahead to their upcoming series.
Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses in a game that had all the elements of a classic showdown, reminding fans why baseball remains one of America's most beloved sports.