Royals Edge Yankees in Dramatic Finish
The Kansas City Royals avoided a four-game sweep against the New York Yankees with a thrilling 4-3 victory, thanks to Maikel Garcia's game-ending two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes. The decisive hit allowed the Royals to snatch the win in the bottom of the ninth inning, a moment that encapsulated an intense game of baseball.
A Strong Start by Alec Marsh
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh was the story of the game early on, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. Displaying remarkable poise on the mound, Marsh kept the Yankees' hitters in check. However, the no-hit effort was broken when he allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto in the seventh inning. Marsh then retired the next three batters, concluding his impressive 96-pitch outing. "I thought we had a good game plan going in," Marsh said, crediting catcher Freddy Fermin for their successful collaboration. "Me and [catcher Freddy Fermin] were on the same page all day. I just felt comfortable out there."
Yankees’ Comeback Efforts
Despite Marsh's remarkable performance, the Yankees mounted a comeback against reliever John Schreiber in the eighth inning. Anthony Rizzo kickstarted the rally with a homer, bringing New York within one run. A critical error by Royals second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder, which helped the Yankees take a 3-2 lead after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
Ninth-Inning Drama
The Royals showcased their resilience in the bottom of the ninth. Drew Waters kicked off the rally with an infield single against Holmes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled, bringing up Garcia with a chance to be the hero. Garcia delivered, sending a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel to secure the victory.
James McArthur sealed the win for Kansas City by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Royals manager Matt Quatraro could not hide his pride. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys," Quatraro 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."
Nestor Cortes’ Performance
On the Yankees' side, Nestor Cortes delivered a commendable performance, allowing just two runs over seven innings while 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."
Highlights and Turning Points
One of the game’s key moments was when Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning. Witt later scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double, adding to the Royals' early lead. However, the Royals’ sixth-inning threat was cut short when Witt was caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes. Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing what he perceived as obstruction by Gleyber Torres.
The Yankees dominated the first three games of the series, but this dramatic win allowed Kansas City to snap their four-game losing streak and hold onto second place in the AL Central. "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going," Marsh said. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.’"
Looking Ahead
The Royals hope this victory will serve as a momentum-builder. Conversely, the Yankees need to regroup and address their inconsistencies if they wish to stay competitive. This game, filled with stellar pitching, clutch hitting, and critical plays, serves as a reminder of why baseball remains a much-loved sport.