Royals go 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and still walk off Cleveland
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- India's 10th-inning homer sealed a 5-3 Royals win despite offensive struggles.
- Royals hitters went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding five men.
- Starter Michael Wacha allowed one run over 5⅓ innings with five strikeouts.
If the Royals want to make a second-half surge toward the postseason, they must defeat the teams in front of them in the standings.
It’s a simple formula, but one that’s been tricky for Kansas City this season.
The Royals entered Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader 23-38 against teams with a winning record. The Cleveland Guardians, at .500, were 1 1/2 games ahead of the Royals in the American League Wild Card standings.
The Royals needed a win to keep pace and found a way to secure a walkoff 5-3 victory in extra innings at Kauffman Stadium.
All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia powered the Royals early, but it was infielder Jonathan India who carried the Royals across the finish line.
India blasted a three-run homer off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase in the 10th inning. It was the first walkoff home run of his career — and just his fifth homer of the season — improving the Royals’ record to 51-53.
“You kind of just black out,” India said of his immediate reaction. “I just won the game for my team. Having a tough game at the plate, having a tough start out of the break, I needed one swing.”
Earlier this year, Clase hit India with a fastball in the face. India didn’t feel any vindication but was happy to help the Royals secure a major win at home.
“I do remember (getting plunked) obviously, and that was not a fun day,” India said. “In the at-bat, I’m not thinking at all like it’s payback. That’s not my mindset.”
Maikel Garcia launches early homer
Garcia had two extra-base hits against the Guardians.
In the fourth inning he belted a two-run homer over the center-field wall. He later added a triple against Cleveland starter Gavin Williams.
“He used more breaking balls today,” Garcia said. “Before, he threw a lot of fastballs to us and I think that’s the adjustment that he did. We saw him throw more sweepers and breaking balls and so we just were ready for it.”
Those runs weren’t enough as the Royals squandered pivotal scoring chances to stretch the lead further.
Garcia remained stranded at third base in the sixth. Following his triple, Royals captain Salvador Perez struck out and MJ Melendez flew out.
An inning later, Adam Frazier drew a walk and represented the go-ahead run. Tyler Tolbert came on as a pinch-runner and promptly stole second base. But he’d advance no further.
John Rave failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Instead, he popped out to Guardians star Jose Ramirez at third. Pinch-hitter Freddy Fermin popped out in foul territory and leadoff hitter India rolled out to first base.
The Royals came up empty twice. KC finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.
The Guardians (51-52) took advantage with a late rally. Bo Naylor hit a RBI double that tied the game in the seventh inning.
Then India pulled the Royals out of the fire against Clase.
“India bailed us out with obviously a huge swing of the bat,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Huge, emotional swing.”
Michael Wacha stead in Saturday start
Royals right-handed starter Michael Wacha allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings before handing off to the KC bullpen. He departed after throwing 80 pitches and took a no-decision.
Still, it was an effective outing from Wacha.
“I felt good to keep rolling out there,” he said. “But, yeah, it was time to get into the ‘pen there. The bullpen pitched great and they covered a lot of innings today. Held a good team to minimum damage there, so that was a lot of fun to see.”
Wacha limited the Guardians to three hits and struck out five. In the fourth, he avoided trouble by working around a leadoff single and retiring the next three batters for a scoreless inning.
Wacha induced 41 swings and eight whiffs Saturday. He relied primarily on his fastball, cutter and changeup to disguise his approach against the Guardians.
The Royals’ bullpen held strong as Steven Cruz kept the Guardians to one run in the 10th inning. It was a key sequence that allowed the Royals to come back late.
“He’s scuffling and having trouble throwing strikes,” Quatraro said. “They’re in the heart of the order and he makes a really good pitch to Jose (Ramirez) and we limit the damage.”
Jac Caglianone exits with injury
The Royals are awaiting an update on rookie outfielder Jac Caglianone. He exited Game 1 with left-hamstring tightness in the third inning.
Caglianone hit into a double play before running down the first-base line. He didn’t come back out for defense after his at-bat. MJ Melendez took over in left field and John Rave moved over to right.
“He felt it going after the ball (Kyle) Manzardo hit in the gap and he felt it getting out of the box on the ground ball,” Quatraro said of Caglianone.
What’s next: The Royals will start All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic (8-6. 2.38 ERA) in Game 2 against the Guardians. Bubic will oppose right-hander Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) in the evening game at Kauffman Stadium.
This story was originally published July 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Royals go 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and still walk off Cleveland."
