How Royals avoided 3rd straight walkoff loss at Twins: key takeaways from series
Offense remains at a premium for the Kansas City Royals. And hard to find.
The Royals (29-26) reiterated their immediate need for impact bats in the middle of the order during a three-game series at Minnesota that concluded on Sunday at Target Field.
After losing the series’ first two games to the Twins in walkoff fashion, Kansas City salvaging a 2-1 victory in 10 innings on Sunday.
“It’s a good feeling,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You play your tail off for three days and you get one of them.
“As we talk about all the time, we are in the games and most of our games (are) somewhat similar to that. Who comes up with the hit when you need it? Today we did, and it was fortunate for us.”
Games one and two were a different story: The Royals wasted a standout performance from rookie pitching sensation Noah Cameron on Friday; on Saturday, they struck out a whopping 18 times.
Both defeats were avoidable. The Royals went 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position and stranded 20 baserunners in each game.
Even with Sunday’s win, it’s clear the Royals’ frigid offense must be addressed if they hope to make a postseason return.
So what can be done?
The Royals could call up top prospect Jac Caglianone from Triple-A Omaha. There is space on the 40-man roster and Caglianone has hit a home run in four consecutive games with the Omaha Storm Chasers.
His first homer on Sunday traveled 459 feet. For an encore, he belted a second homer later in the game.
But club officials say Caglianone has not yet been deemed ready for the big leagues. The Royals want him to get more at-bats against Triple-A pitching before making the monumental promotion.
How about other internal options? Well, the Royals have given opportunities to Drew Waters and Nick Loftin in recent weeks. Guys like John Rave and Cam Devanney have looked great in Triple-A and could be next in line.
The Royals’ need for consistently good hitting can’t be overstated. General manager J.J. Picollo is sure to scour both the free-agent and trade markets while keeping an eye on Caglianone’s progress in Triple-A.
For now, the Royals simply need their stars to produce. It’s the quickest, surest way for this club to win, not lose, close games.
Here are some more takeaways from the Royals’ series in Minneapolis:
Sunday Spotlight
Left-handed starter Kris Bubic has looked like an All-Star this season. He continues to propel a Royals starting rotation that’s missing top pitchers Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans.
On Sunday, Bubic showed his resiliency against the Twins. He allowed two hits to begin the game and a run scored when Ryan Jeffers doubled and Ty France drove him in with a single.
Bubic didn’t allow the hosts anything else. He issued two walks and recorded nine strikeouts before departing after seven innings.
“It was different,” Bubic said of the start. “It was probably my lowest fastball usage ever in a start to be honest. But to have the secondaries to compliment it is always nice.”
The Royals didn’t offer Bubic much run support. Drew Waters was picked off first base in the fourth. An inning earlier, the Royals had two runners on base, but Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez lined out to extinguish the threat.
KC finally broke through in the seventh inning: Waters and Freddy Fermin doubled to tie the game at 1-1.
“Freddy is always ready for that big moment,” Bubic said. “He’s always clutch and works his tail off to be able to produce in moments like that. He doesn’t shy away from anything. You see him back there, you know, he is always really positive and really encouraging. For him to come through in that situation doesn’t surprise us because we see the work he puts in.”
The game became a battle of the bullpens once Bubic exited. Maikel Garcia’s RBI single in the 10th inning, off Twins closer Jhoan Duran, was the difference.
“Yesterday, he threw me a lot of breaking balls,” Garcia said of Duran. “Today he attacked me with the fastball. Immediately, he sent me down 0-2 and tried to go again with the curveball down to chase. The adjustment I did was to put the ball in play.”
Taylor Clarke closed the door in relief to earn the save and help the Royals avoid a series sweep.
“He did stay in the moment and executed a lot of pitches there,” Quatraro said of Clarke.
Vinnie Pasquantino rides heat wave
The Royals know what Bobby Witt Jr. brings to the table. He finished second in American League MVP voting in 2024. He is an All-Star shortstop, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winner.
Fans also know what to expect from Salvador Perez. The Royals’ team captain always seems to come through in crucial moments. On Wednesday, he powered the Royals to a series victory at the San Francisco Giants.
First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is a different story. The Royals believe he can carry the offensive load, but there have been stretches where he just hasn’t delivered this season.
For the Royals to thrive, Pasquantino has to be a force at the plate. He hits third in the batting order and can offer critical protection for Witt and Perez.
Pasquantino has answered the call in May. He is hitting .315 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 22 games this month. He has hit safely in 23 of 29 games since April 24 and he has 10 multi-hit efforts in his last 20 outings.
On Sunday, Pasquantino extended his hitting streak to nine games. He leads the Royals in home runs and RBIs this season.
“That’s good for us, when Vinnie gets hot,” Garcia said. “He is still getting on base and hitting the ball hard. When he gets hot, it’s better for us offensively.”
Royals’ young relievers shine
The Royals have received a major lift from their bullpen this season.
A lot of that success has come from simply having their relief pitchers rested and available.
Closer Carlos Estévez has thrived in the late innings. He ranks fourth among MLB leaders with 14 saves. Lucas Erceg is putting together an All-Star campaign and Daniel Lynch IV continues to be used in high-leverage situations.
But a trio of young relievers have been the real difference-makers. The Royals recalled Jonathan Bowlan, Evan Sisk and Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha, and they have filled in ably for injured veterans Hunter Harvey and Sam Long.
Cruz has a 1.62 ERA in 18 games. He has stranded 71.4% of the runners he’s inherited on the basepaths. Sisk hasn’t given up a run in three innings and has struck out at least two in each outing.
Meanwhile, Bowlan picked up his first major-league win last Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants.
“We have been in a lot of close games so they are having to pitch in some tough spots,” Royals bullpen coach Mitch Stetter said. “And they have been doing a great job.”
Royals dealing with sick bug
The Royals made a late lineup change before each game of the Twins series.
On Friday, Perez wasn’t in the batting order due to an illness.
“I almost tried (Friday to play), but I had zero energy,” he said.
The apparent bug then spread to outfielder Kyle Isbel. He didn’t start Saturday’s game and wasn’t in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale.
“It’s gone around those couple and I don’t know how many other people feel something,” Quatraro said. “It affects everyone a little bit differently.”
Minutes before Sunday’s game, the Royals scratched second baseman Jonathan India from the lineup. He was due to lead off and play second base.
Perez was able to return to the lineup Saturday. He felt better but played only designated hitter, not catcher or first base, for the final two games of the series.
This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM with the headline "How Royals avoided 3rd straight walkoff loss at Twins: key takeaways from series."
