The Royals were headed for an impressive win. Here's how it went so bad so fast

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jul 12, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals were six outs away from slamming the door on the New York Mets in Friday’s series opener at Kauffman Stadium.

Instead, Royals reliever Steven Cruz left the door ajar. And the Mets made the KC bullpen pay in an 8-3 win.

In the eighth inning, Cruz didn’t have his usual command. He issued a single and two walks to Mets stars Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. The Mets loaded the bases with no outs as a result.

KC held a 3-1 lead after All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-run homer to cap a pivotal seventh frame. Now, the Royals were in danger of giving the lead back in short order.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro had a few options with his bullpen returning following an off day on Thursday. He opted to stick with Cruz, who got two outs in the seventh, instead of turning to fireman reliever Lucas Erceg with a clean inning.

And when things got hairy, Quatraro went with All-Star closer Carlos Estévez to attempt to clean up the eighth inning.

The strategy did not work.

Estévez allowed a three-run double to Mets designated hitter Mark Vientos as he cleared the bases. New York took a one-run lead before Lindor and Soto provided valuable late insurance with consecutive homers in the ninth.

The Royals (46-49) failed to respond as they snapped their four-game winning streak.

Free passes doom Royals

It was a tough night for the KC pitching staff. The club surrendered eight walks against the Mets and each one proved costly.

In the third inning, Royals starter Michael Wacha walked home the first run of the game. He got behind Mets catcher Luis Torrens, who drew a bases-loaded walk.

Wacha allowed one run in five innings. However, he surrendered three walks on 83 pitches while receiving zero run support.

The walks were compounded by Cruz’s two pivotal ones in the eighth inning. And Royals reliever Taylor Clarke issued a walk to Nimmo in the ninth that preceded Lindor’s three-run homer to center field.

What’s next:The Royals continue their three-game series against the Mets at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61 ERA) will oppose Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) at 3:10 p.m. Central.