KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nick Loftin delivered a performance for the ages on Tuesday night, smashing a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning and then securing a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory for the Kansas City Royals over the Pittsburgh Pirates with an RBI single in the ninth. The Royals have now won five of their last six, while the Pirates’ road woes continued, falling to 0-5 on their current nine-game trip.
Loftin’s heroics capped a back-and-forth affair at Kauffman Stadium. Rookie sensation Jac Caglianone got the Royals on the board in the second inning with a prodigious 421-foot solo home run, his first extra-base hit at home in 14 games and a much-needed confidence boost after a 5-for-46 slump at Kauffman.
Pittsburgh’s All-Star Home Run Derby participant, Oneil Cruz, showcased his power in the fourth, launching a titanic 458-foot blast over the right-field fountains to tie the game. Nick Gonzales then put the Pirates ahead in the top of the seventh with a solo shot, setting the stage for Loftin’s initial heroics.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Loftin stepped to the plate and connected for a two-run homer, giving the Royals a 3-2 lead. However, the Pirates wouldn’t go quietly. In the eighth, they loaded the bases with one out against Lucas Erceg, with Bryan Reynolds tying the game on an RBI fielder’s choice grounder.
But the night belonged to Loftin. In the bottom of the ninth, Maikel Garcia led off with a single off Dennis Santana (2-2), followed by a base hit from Salvador Perez. After a pitching change brought in Isaac Mattson, Loftin wasted no time, lacing a 1-0 fastball for the game-ending RBI single, sending the Royals dugout into a frenzy.
Carlos Estevez (3-2) earned the win for Kansas City with a scoreless ninth inning.
The pitching matchup between Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller and Kansas City’s Seth Lugo, both rumored trade candidates, lived up to its billing. Both starters were nearly identical through six innings, each yielding just one run on three hits while striking out five.
The Royals’ offense continued to show pop, registering their second consecutive multi-homer game after not achieving that feat all season.
The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Wednesday night. Pittsburgh will send Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.69 ERA) to the mound against Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.36). Pregame coverage on Superstar Country 102.5 FM KQNK begins at 6:00 PM CDT, with first pitch from Kauffman Stadium scheduled for 6:40 PM CDT.
