How Royals secured 4th consecutive series victory with late rally vs. Blue Jays
If the Kansas City Royals are going to climb the American League Wild Card standings, they’ll need to find a way to defeat the top teams.
After Sunday’s game, they’re trending in the right direction.
The Royals overcame an early deficit in a 7-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
Royals starter Seth Lugo struggled with his command across 4 ⅔ innings. He surrendered two runs alongside four walks. But the Royals’ bullpen kept the deficit close with multiple scoreless innings of relief.
“It was a really good ballgame,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said in his postgame news conference on FanDuel Sports Kansas City. “Both pitchers were battling and neither one of them had their best command, I don’t think. It was kind of dragging through there, but minimizing damage and our bullpen was outstanding to keep us where they were.”
Indeed, it was on the KC offense to do its part. And for seven innings, the Royals couldn’t solve the Blue Jays’ pitching riddle. Chris Bassitt held the Royals to a lone hit and one earned run in six innings of work.
The Royals worked three walks but had nothing to show for it … until the eighth inning.
In the eighth, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. doubled into left field. He later scored as Vinnie Pasquantino added an RBI single to tie the game.
Momentum shifted toward the Royals. From there, the bullpen held strong as the Royals found their way to a comeback victory and series win in extra innings.
Royals duo sparks comeback in extras
Kyle Isbel continues to produce in the ninth spot in the batting order. On Saturday, he logged two doubles against the Blue Jays despite the loss.
Sunday was a different story. Isbel doubled home Randal Grichuk, who served as the designated runner, in the 10th inning. The Royals scored four additional runs off new Blue Jays reliever Seranthony Domínguez.
Tyler Tolbert hit a two-run single as KC extended the lead. The Royals (56-56) returned to .500 as closer Carlos Estévez helped secure their fourth consecutive series victory.
“After I saw he walked Bobby, it was just be patient and just get my pitch, Tolbert said postgame, via FanDuel Sports Kansas City. “Don’t try to do too much and just stay in my approach. Just do what I do.”
Steven Cruz placed on IL
The Royals added another name to their expansive injury list. On Sunday, the club sidelined reliever Steven Cruz due to right shoulder impingement.
Cruz left Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. He felt discomfort during his relief appearance and exited with the Royals training staff.
“It’s shoulder soreness and probably signs of impingement in there,” Quatraro said pregame. “We got him back to Kansas City so he can see the doctors to get a better diagnosis.”
Cruz is having a career year. He owns a 3.83 ERA in 43 relief appearances and has recently stepped up in high-leverage situations.
In a corresponding move, the Royals reinstated left-hander Daniel Lynch IV from the 15-day injured list.
What’s next: The Royals begin a pivotal three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday night. New Royals acquisition Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.73 ERA) will start opposite Red Sox right-hander Bryan Bello (7-5, 3.19 ERA).
This story was originally published August 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM with the headline "How Royals secured 4th consecutive series victory with late rally vs. Blue Jays."
