By MATT PIKE
Trailing entering the sixth inning, the Kansas City Royals put up a big four run inning that propelled them to victory over the Washington Nationals in their series opener at Kauffman Stadium, winning 7-4 on Monday evening.
The Royals fell behind in the first inning with two outs as Josh Bell hit a two run home run, scoring James Wood who led the inning off with a walk to give the Nationals the lead. In the second inning though, Kansas City came back to tie up the game, first with three consecutive singles by Maikel Garcia, Salvador Perez, and Adam Frazier, with Frazier’s single bringing home Garcia. After a walk to Randal Grichuk loaded the bases, a Nick Loftin sacrifice fly tied the game driving in Perez.
In the fifth inning, with Daniel Lynch replacing starter Bailey Falter, Washington took the lead back behind another two run home run, this time by former Royal and St. Louis Cardinal Paul DeJong, again scoring James Wood who led the inning off with a single. Kansas City was retired in order in the bottom half of the inning, but in the sixth stormed back from behind to take the lead, first tying the game on a two run home run from Perez, driving in Garcia who led the inning off with a walk.
The Captain crushes one! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/BfJUGDsg1X
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 12, 2025
Frazier singled following the home run, but Grichuk grounded into a double play putting two outs on the board. With two outs, Loftin singled and scored in the next at bat, Kyle Isbel hitting the second home run of the inning to give the Royals the 6-4 lead. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Kansas City added their final run, a sacrifice fly by Mike Yastrzemski scoring Tyler Tolbert who pinch ran for Frazier.
Go-ahead Izzy laser! pic.twitter.com/b0TkqjzFsX
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 12, 2025
Lynch earned the win, improving to 4-2 on the season, pitching two innings and giving up two runs on five hits with two strikeouts. In a no decision, Falter pitched much better in his second Royals start, going four innings and giving up two runs on three hits giving up three walks and striking out five. Carlos Estévez earned his 30th save, giving up just one walk in the ninth inning.
At the plate, Frazier was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Perez was 2-for-4 with the home run and two RBI’s, while Isbel was 1-for-3 with a walk and the home run also driving in two runs. Bobby Witt Jr was 2-for-5 in his return to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a back injury.
Kansas City and Washington continue their series tomorrow. Michael Wacha (6-9, 3.36 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Mitchell Parker (7-12, 5.43 ERA) for the Nationals. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage beginning at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
