How new Kansas City Royals starter Bailey Falter assessed his debut with KC
Bailey Falter made his Kansas City Royals debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday night.
It was a tough assignment.
The Red Sox blitzed Falter in the first inning. Boston scored five runs, buoyed by outfielder Jarren Duran’s three-run homer, as the Royals fell 8-5.
Falter threw 38 pitches in the opening frame. He left a few pitches over the plate and the Red Sox took advantage.
“I thought I made some pretty good pitches tonight but I felt like they were just all over it,” Falter told reporters postgame via FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City. “A couple of sliders got away from me and they were hit pretty well. Just overall, I didn’t do my job tonight.”
Designated hitter Rob Refsnyder sparked the early rally with a two-run single. Later, Duran belted an 84.8 mph slider over the outfield wall for his 12th homer of the year.
The Royals fell into a quick hole. Offensively, KC had chances to cut into the early deficit but stranded several runners on base.
In the third inning, the Royals had the bases loaded with one out. However, Vinnie Pasquantino lined out to second base and Maikel Garcia struck out against Red Sox starter Brayan Bello, who allowed one run in six innings.
The Royals finished 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Falter ended up with the loss. He worked four innings and allowed seven earned runs in his debut start. He threw 60 of 88 pitches for strikes while primarily utilizing his slider to attack the Red Sox lineup.
“It’s a tough one tonight, for sure,” Falter said. “My job was to go out there and set the tone for these guys, and I didn’t do my job. Think about it tonight, get with the pitching staff tomorrow and see what we can come up with to try to be better next start.”
The Royals (56-57) fell four games behind the Seattle Mariners (60-53) for the third and final American League Wild Card spot. The Mariners were idle on Monday before beginning a series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
“He’s not the first guy to have a rough outing as a starter,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said in his postgame interview via FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City. “He is going to bounce back. Brian (Sweeney) and the guys will get with him and keep him in a positive frame of mind. Five days from now, he will come back and try to give us the best chance to win.”
Royals’ offense comes alive late
The Royals showed some fortitude in the late innings. After trailing by seven runs entering the eighth inning, KC closed the gap against the Red Sox’s bullpen.
Pasquantino and Garcia hit consecutive homers off Red Sox reliever Jorge Alcala to spark a four-run frame. The Royals had four extra-base hits as Adam Frazier and Nick Loftin also recorded RBIs to narrow the deficit.
The Royals brought the tying run to the plate with two outs. Bobby Witt Jr. faced Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock and singled into right field. However, Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu threw out Loftin at home plate to end the inning.
“We were swinging the bat well in that inning, and we are getting multiple relievers in the game, which is good for us as well getting looks at those guys,” Quatraro said. “It’s a mental mistake and (Loftin) won’t make that again.”
Two Royals claimed off waivers
The Royals made a flurry of roster moves following the MLB trade deadline last week. The club designated right-hander Thomas Hatch and outfielder Joey Wiemer for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Both players were claimed by other teams Monday. Hatch, who was recently up with the Royals last week, was claimed by the Minnesota Twins. He originally was a non-roster spring training invitee with the organization.
Wiemer spent this season in Triple-A Omaha. He was initially acquired from the Cincinnati Reds alongside Jonathan India in exchange for Brady Singer.
The Miami Marlins claimed Wiemer off waivers.
What’s next: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Red Sox on Tuesday night. New acquisition Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.78 ERA) will start against All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet (12-4, 2.23 ERA).
This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 9:34 PM with the headline "How new Kansas City Royals starter Bailey Falter assessed his debut with KC."
