Royals Edge Yankees 4-3 in Dramatic Fashion
Maikel Garcia was the hero for the Kansas City Royals, delivering a game-ending two-run double off the New York Yankees' closer, Clay Holmes. This thrilling hit allowed the Royals to edge out New York with a 4-3 victory, avoiding a four-game sweep in the process.
The dramatic win also helped the Royals snap a four-game losing streak, lifting them into second place in the AL Central. The Yankees, who had dominated the first three games of the series, now need to regroup after this disappointing finish.
Marsh Shines on the Mound
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh was nearly untouchable, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the Yankees. He eventually allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto, marking the end of his no-hit aspirations. Despite this, Marsh showcased his talent, retiring the next three batters to conclude a commendable 96-pitch outing.
"I thought we had a good game plan going in," Marsh said. "Me and [catcher Freddy Fermin] were on the same page all day. I just felt comfortable out there."
Marsh's performance laid a strong foundation for the Royals, but the Yankees were not ready to surrender just yet.
Yankees' Late Rally
The Yankees mounted a comeback against reliever John Schreiber in the eighth inning. Anthony Rizzo brought New York within one run with a crucial homer. A critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder, allowing the Yankees to take the lead, 3-2, after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
Meanwhile, Yankees starter Nestor Cortes also delivered a solid performance, allowing two runs over seven innings and lowering 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."
Dramatic Ninth-Inning Comeback
In the ninth inning, Drew Waters hit an infield single against Holmes, igniting the Royals' hopes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled to bring up Garcia. Garcia then delivered a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel to complete a dramatic comeback.
James McArthur secured the win for Kansas City by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. This victory not only helped the Royals avoid the sweep but also gave them something positive to build on.
"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."
Additional Highlights
Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning, scoring later on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double. However, the Royals' sixth-inning threat was cut short when Witt was caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes.
The game wasn't without controversy, as Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing obstruction by Gleyber Torres. Despite the ejection, Quatraro remained in high spirits, jokingly saying, "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going," Marsh recalled. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.'"
For the Yankees, the focus now shifts to regrouping after a tough loss. Despite the setback, Boone was optimistic about the team's performance, particularly praising Cortes for his strong outing.
"I thought he did a good job, like Marsh, of mixing things up to give us seven strong innings," Boone remarked.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will look to learn from this game as the season progresses. The Royals hope to build on this victory and maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, the Yankees aim to address their issues and come back stronger in their next series.