Royals collapse late in 8-3 series opening loss to Mets

By MATT PIKE

The Kansas City Royals got a big home run from Bobby Witt Jr to take the lead in the seventh inning, but collapsed through the final two frames to fall to the New York Mets 8-3 in their series opener Friday night. 

The game was delayed by just over an hour due to weather, the first pitch being thrown just after 8:30pm.  The Royals had their chances to strike in the first two innings, but left runners stranded in scoring position, leaving the Mets to score the opening run in the third on a bases loaded walk to Pete Alonso, scoring Luis Torrens who singled to open the third inning. 

New York held that lead until the sixth inning, and Royals starter Michael Wacha contained them to just that run, until Kansas City tied up the game in the frame, Salvador Perez singling and then racing all the way home from first base on a double by Nick Loftin.

In the seventh, the Royals took the lead behind Witt Jr’s two run blast.  Kyle Isbel singled to open the inning, but pinch runner Tyler Tolbert was caught stealing.  He was replaced on the basepaths with a single by Jonathan India, just ahead of Witt Jr sending a fly ball deep to center field to give Kansas City a 3-1 lead. 

Steven Cruz, who had gotten the Royals out of the top of the seventh inning, remained on the mound for the eighth but immediately ran into trouble, loading the bases with a single to Brandon Nimmo and back to back walks to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.  Manager Matt Quatraro brought on recently named All Star Carlos Estévez to try to escape the jam.  

Estévez struck out Pete Alonso, but with a 2-2 count gave up a bases clearing double to Mark Vientos, and in turn the lead as Nimmo, Lindor, and Soto all came across home plate to put the Mets up 4-3.   Another four runs scored in the ninth inning off Taylor Clarke, a three run home run by Lindor scoring Nimmo and Tyrone Taylor before Soto followed that with a solo home run of his own for the final run. 

Cruz took the loss in relief, falling to 2-1 on the season, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out one.  At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-5 with a double as well as the home run and two RBIs.  India was 2-for-5 while Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez were both 2-for-4. 

Earlier in the day on Friday, it was announced the Royals will have two more All Stars in Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic as third baseman Maikel Garcia and Estévez were named as replacements for the American League squad. 

Estevez, earned his call from manager Matt Quatraro on Thursday night, and Garcia, learned of his first All-Star selection ahead of the opener with the Mets, were both added as replacements to the AL roster, replacing the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom and the Rays’ Brandon Lowe.

For Garcia, it’s one of the more rewarding selections for a Kansas City club that signed him as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela. Cousin to both Royals playoff hero Alcides Escobar and the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., Garcia burst onto the scene in 2023 with a .272 average and 20 doubles across 123 games in his first real opportunity in the big leagues.

For Estévez, it is his second selection after earning his first with the Angels in 2023. The Royals’ closer is tied for the most saves in the American League (25) with the Astros’ Josh Hader. Estévez (2.03 ERA) needs one save this weekend to have the most saves by a Royal before the All-Star break.

Kansas City and New York continue their series on Saturday.  Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) for the Mets.  First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame will begin at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM). 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.