By MATT PIKE
Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone broke out of an 0-for-9 slump hitting his first home run at Kauffman Stadium and Nick Loftin came through with two big clutch hits as the Kansas City Royals scored a walk off 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Caglianone opened the scoring in the second inning, leading off the inning with the 421 foot blast to right field that landed in the fountains beyond the party deck for his first home run since his multi home run game against the Texas Rangers on June 19th. The Pirates tied up the game in the fourth inning as recently announced Home Run Derby participant Oneil Cruz hit his 16th home run of the season.
Jac has left the building!
Kauffman blast No. 1! pic.twitter.com/13nOXR4bra
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 9, 2025
Pittsburgh took the lead in the seventh inning on another solo home run, this time by Nick Gonzalez to center field, but in the bottom half of the inning the Royals took the lead back for the first time since Caglianone’s home run as Loftin hit a two run home run, driving in Salvador Perez for a 3-2 lead.
Loftin for the lead!@STIHLUSA pic.twitter.com/HPy6H48BMx
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 9, 2025
The Pirates tied up the game in the eighth inning off reliever Lucas Erceg after Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to open the inning, and later scored as Bryan Reynolds grounded into a forceout with Tommy Pham being thrown out at second. Kansas City escaped the inning and after not scoring in the bottom half, and getting through the top of the ninth, found a way to get a walk off win.
Back to back singles by Maikel Garcia and Perez started the inning, and a deep fly out from Caglianone allowed Garcia to move to third base, putting the winning run 90 feet away. The Pirates made a pitching change, but it would not matter as Loftin continued his hot night, singling into center field to score Garcia for the walk off victory.
In the Nick of time!#HEYHEYHEYHEY pic.twitter.com/ES9bmJbzm1
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 9, 2025
Carlos Estévez earned the win after pitching the ninth inning, giving up just one hit, improving to 3-2 on the season. At the plate, Loftin was 2-for-4 with three RBI’s. Caglianone was 1-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.
Kansas City and Pittsburgh wrap up their series tomorrow. Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.36 ERA) takes on Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.69 ERA) for the Pirates. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage begins at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM). The Royals will wrap up this series and then be off on Thursday.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
