Royals beat Guardians in 10 innings despite struggles with runners in scoring position

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jul 26, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If the Kansas City Royals want to make a second-half surge towards the postseason, they must defeat the teams in front of them in the standings.

It’s a simple formula, but one that’s been tricky for the Royals this season.

KC entered play with a 23-38 record against teams with a winning record. The Cleveland Guardians, who sat at .500 prior to Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, were 1 1/2 games ahead of the Royals in the American League wild-card standings.

The Royals needed a win to keep pace and found a way to secure a 5-3 walk-off victory in extra innings at Kauffman Stadium.

All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia powered the club early but it was infielder Jonathan India who carried the Royals across the finish line.

India blasted a three-run homer off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase in the 10th inning. It was the second walk-off home run of his career as the Royals improved to 51-53 on the season.

Garcia launches early homer

Garcia produced two extra-base hits against the Guardians.

In the fourth inning he belted a two-run homer over the center-field wall. He later added a triple against Cleveland starter Gavin Williams.

However, the Royals squandered pivotal scoring chances to stretch the lead further.

Garcia was left stranded on third base in the sixth. Following his triple, Royals captain Salvador Perez struck out and MJ Melendez flew out.

An inning later, Adam Frazier drew a walk and represented the go-ahead run. The Royals inserted Tyler Tolbert as a pinch runner and he promptly stole second base. But Tolbert didn’t advance further.

John Rave failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Instead, he popped out to Guardians star Jose Ramirez at third. Pinch hitter Freddy Fermin popped out in foul territory and leadoff hitter India rolled out to first base.

The Royals came up empty twice. KC finished 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.

The Guardians (51-52) took advantage with a late rally. Bo Naylor hit a RBI double that tied the game in the seventh inning.

But India pulled the Royals out of the fire against Clase.

Wacha steady in start

Royals right-handed starter Michael Wacha allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings before handing things over to the KC bullpen. He departed after 80 pitches and received a no-decision.

Still, it was an effective outing.

Wacha limited the Guardians to three hits alongside five strikeouts. In the fourth inning, he avoided trouble by working around a leadoff single and retiring the next three batters to produce a scoreless frame.

Wacha induced 41 swings and eight whiffs. He relied primarily on his fastball, cutter and change-up to disguise his approach against the Guardians.

Caglianone exits with injury

The Royals are awaiting an update on rookie outfielder Jac Caglianone. He exited Game 1 with left hamstring tightness in the third inning.

Caglianone hit into a double play before running down the first base line. He didn’t come back out for defense after his at-bat. The Royals inserted Melendez in left field and moved Rave over to right.

What’s next?

The Royals will start All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic (8-6. 2.38 ERA) in Game 2 against the Guardians. Bubic will oppose right-hander Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) at Kauffman Stadium.