Royals Triumph Over Yankees with Ninth-Inning Drama
Maikel Garcia's two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes sealed a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Kansas City Royals, thwarting New York's attempt to sweep the four-game series. The Royals' win not only prevented the sweep but also snapped their four-game losing streak, giving them a much-needed morale boost as they remain in second place in the AL Central.
Alec Marsh's Stellar Performance
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh was nothing short of spectacular, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the powerful Yankees lineup. Marsh's outing was a masterclass in pitching, keeping the Yankees' bats silent until Juan Soto's leadoff single in the seventh inning. Marsh then retired the next three batters, wrapping up his 96-pitch performance, which Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised as a brilliant mix of pitches that kept hitters off-balance.
"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 effort set a strong foundation for the Royals, but it was not without drama. Manager Matt Quatraro's ejection for arguing obstruction by Gleyber Torres added a layer of tension, but Marsh remained unfazed. "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going," Marsh said. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.'"
Yankees' Late Surge
Despite Marsh's heroics, the Yankees began to mount a comeback in the eighth inning against reliever John Schreiber. Anthony Rizzo brought New York within one run with a homer, and a critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder. The Yankees seized a 3-2 lead after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
Nestor Cortes pitched well for the Yankees, allowing two runs over seven innings and lowering his road ERA from 6.17 to 5.57. "I thought Nestor was good," Boone commented. "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."
Royals' Ninth-Inning Rally
The Royals, however, were not done. In the ninth inning, Drew Waters hit an infield single against Holmes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled, setting the stage for Garcia's heroics. With the pressure on, Garcia delivered a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel to give the Royals a 4-3 lead.
James McArthur then took the mound in the bottom of the ninth, pitching a scoreless inning to secure the victory for Kansas City. The win was a testament to the Royals' resilience and tenacity, qualities that manager Quatraro praised. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys," he said. "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."
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Royals hope to build momentum and continue their climb in the standings. Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning, and he later scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double. Although the Royals' sixth-inning threat was cut short by Witt being caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes, the team remained undeterred.
On the other hand, the Yankees need to regroup after letting a late lead slip away. With a talented roster and high expectations, New York will need to address their shortcomings quickly to get back on track.
This game showcased the unpredictable nature of baseball, where every pitch and every play can change the outcome. For the Royals, this win was not just about avoiding a sweep but about demonstrating their potential and determination. For the Yankees, it served as a reminder that no lead is safe until the final out is recorded.
As both teams move forward, this game will undoubtedly stand out as a defining moment in their respective seasons.