Royals Avoid Sweep with Dramatic Win Over Yankees
Maikel Garcia delivered a game-ending, two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes, allowing the Kansas City Royals to edge out New York 4-3 in a thrilling finish. With this win, the Royals avoided a four-game sweep and snapped their own four-game losing streak.
Marsh's Dominant Outing
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh was sensational on the mound, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the Yankees. His dazzling performance was cut short when he allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto in the seventh. Marsh managed to retire the next three batters, capping off his 96-pitch outing.
"I thought we had a good game plan going in," said Marsh. "Me and [catcher Freddy Fermin] were on the same page all day. I just felt comfortable out there."
Despite Marsh's impressive start, the Yankees mounted a comeback in the eighth inning against reliever John Schreiber. Anthony Rizzo brought New York within one run with a home run, and a critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder. The Yankees took a 3-2 lead after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
Royals' Late-Game Heroics
The Royals made their move in the ninth inning. Drew Waters began the rally with an infield single against Holmes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled, setting the table for Garcia's dramatic, game-winning hit. Garcia delivered a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel to give Kansas City the victory.
"I couldn't be more proud of those guys," said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. "You're down. That's a really good club with an elite closer coming in. 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."
James McArthur secured the win for Kansas City by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. The Royals now hold second place in the AL Central and are looking to build on this dramatic victory.
Yankees' Strong Start Falls Short
Before the chaos of the final innings, Yankee starter Nestor Cortes delivered a solid performance, allowing two runs over seven innings of work. He successfully lowered his road ERA from 6.17 to 5.57.
"I thought Nestor was good," commented 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. I thought he did a good job, like Marsh, of mixing things up to give us seven strong innings."
Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning. Witt later scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double, which represented initial progress for the Royals before their sixth-inning threat was thwarted as Witt was caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing as he believed Gleyber Torres committed obstruction, a call he was visibly passionate about.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Royals hope to build momentum as they continue their journey in the AL Central race. The Yankees, after dominating the first three games of the series, will need to regroup and address the late-game collapse that cost them a sweep.
Marsh reflected on the excitement surrounding his near no-hitter, saying, "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going. I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.’"
The Royals will look to take this dramatic win forward while the Yankees will aim to bounce back and solidify their strengths for future matchups. This game showcased the unpredictability and excitement that baseball fans crave, ensuring that both teams remain in focus as the season progresses.