Royals Edge Yankees 4-3 in Thrilling Comeback Win
The Kansas City Royals managed to dodge a four-game sweep by the New York Yankees thanks to a dramatic two-run double by Maikel Garcia off Yankees closer Clay Holmes. The clutch hit sealed a 4-3 victory for the Royals, injecting much-needed momentum into their season while leaving the Yankees to regroup after a tough loss.
A Near No-Hitter by Rookie Alec Marsh
Rookie pitcher Alec Marsh nearly delivered a gem for the Royals, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against a potent Yankees lineup. Marsh allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto in the seventh but quickly composed himself, retiring the next three batters to conclude his impressive 96-pitch outing. His performance demonstrated remarkable poise and skill, especially considering it was against a team that had dominated the first three games of the series.
"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."
Royals manager Matt Quatraro couldn't hide his pride for the rookie. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys," Quatraro stated. "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."
Yankees' Comeback Falls Short
The Yankees, however, were not about to let the Royals cruise to victory. Anthony Rizzo began the comeback with a homer in the eighth inning, bringing New York within one run. A critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson put further pressure on the Royals, setting the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder. Finally, an RBI single by Juan Soto off Angel Zerpa's pitch gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
Ninth Inning Heroics
With the game on the line in the bottom of the ninth inning, Drew Waters hit an infield single off Holmes. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled to advance the runner, setting the stage for Maikel Garcia. Garcia did not disappoint, delivering a liner down the left-field line that scored MJ Melendez and Isbel, clinching the game for the Royals.
James McArthur then secured the win for Kansas City by pitching a scoreless ninth inning, helping the Royals 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 humorously afterward. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.'"
Cortes Impresses, Despite Loss
In a game that featured excellent pitching, the Yankees’ starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was also a standout. Cortes allowed just two runs over seven innings, lowering his road ERA to 5.57 from 6.17. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cortes's performance, stating, "I thought Nestor was good. 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."
Meanwhile, Kansas City’s all-star Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14 games, evidencing his consistency and importance to the team. Witt scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's two-run double, contributing vital runs early in the game. However, Witt was also caught stealing in the sixth inning after a pickoff throw by Cortes effectively ended a potential scoring threat for the Royals.
Looking Ahead
The Royals hope to build on this victory as they endeavor to improve their standing in the AL Central. Manager Matt Quatraro's ejection for arguing obstruction by Gleyber Torres highlighted the intense competitive spirit of the game, something the team hopes to channel positively in upcoming matches.
Conversely, the Yankees need to regroup after a tough loss. Manager Aaron Boone will likely focus on tightening up defensive plays and minimizing critical errors to prevent future close-call losses like this one.
Overall, the thrilling finish serves as an exhilarating chapter in what has already been an unpredictable MLB season. Both teams have plenty to reflect on and learn from as they move forward.