KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals, fueled by a clutch seventh-inning rally, defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game skid and gaining ground in the American League wild-card race.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Royals offense came alive. Nick Loftin, pinch-hitting for Jac Caglianone, singled to tie the game, driving in pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert. Maikel Garcia followed with a double off the left-field wall against reliever Hunter Gaddis, bringing home Loftin for the go-ahead run. The two runs were charged to Tim Herrin (5-4).
The victory moves the Royals to within 3 1/2 games of the Seattle Mariners for the final AL wild-card spot, while the Guardians now sit three games behind Seattle.
Luinder Avila (1-0) earned his first career win with two scoreless innings of relief. Carlos Estévez closed the door in the ninth, securing his major league-leading 39th save.
Cleveland had taken an early lead on a two-run homer from Kyle Manzardo in the first inning and an RBI single from Bo Naylor in the fourth. Manzardo’s 432-foot blast was the longest of his career and his 26th of the season.
The Royals’ early runs came from Vinnie Pasquantino and Jonathan India, who both singled in runs. Pasquantino’s RBI gave him 100 on the season for the first time in his career.
Guardians starter Logan Allen pitched five innings, allowing two runs, but remained winless in his last seven starts.
The Royals used six pitchers in the game, with Jonathan Bowlan starting in place of the injured Michael Wacha, who suffered a concussion from an “off-field accident.”
The four-game series concludes on Thursday, with Stephen Kolek (5-5, 3.88 ERA) on the mound for the Royals, facing off against the Guardians’ Gavin Williams (10-5, 3.17 ERA). Pregame coverage on Superstar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM KQNK begins at 5:30 p.m. before a 6:15 p.m. first pitch.
