‘Mental mistake’: Royals explain baserunning error in Monday’s loss to Red Sox
The Kansas City Royals fell into an early hole against the Boston Red Sox in Monday’s 8-5 loss at Fenway Park.
It wasn’t the best outing for new Royals pitcher Bailey Falter. The left-handed starter allowed seven earned runs in his KC debut.
The Royals nearly overcame the rough night. However, an ill-timed mental mistake cost the team a chance to tie the score.
In the eighth inning, the Royals had the tying run at the plate. KC first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino represented the go-ahead run, should teammate Bobby Witt Jr. get aboard and load the bases.
Witt did his part. He singled off Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock as Nick Loftin came barreling home to score from second base.
Loftin ran through a stop sign given by Royals third base coach Vance Wilson. He was tagged out at home plate. The inning was over.
The Royals, who scored four runs in the frame, were denied a chance to tie the game. Pasquantino was left standing on deck.
“They made a great throw to the plate, and we are going to challenge that every time based on the blocking the plate rule,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said postgame via FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City. “You never know what they are going to come back with. The ball was up the line and I didn’t think we would get it. But then, when I saw the replay, I thought it was a better chance than it was prior.”
When asked why Loftin missed the stop sign, Quatraro said he felt Loftin was trying to make a play and was a little too aggressive in the moment. Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu threw the baseball up the line and catcher Connor Wong applied the tag.
The Royals did challenge the play, but it was upheld after replay review.
“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 he won’t make that again.”
While Loftin’s blunder didn’t necessarily cost the Royals the game, it was a play that could draw some criticism moving forward. Quatraro spoke with Loftin and explained the situation as the Royals dropped the series opener.
“I talked to him in the dugout,” Quatraro said. “You’ve got to understand the game situation at that point. He is trying to be aggressive and he probably got carried away knowing there were two outs. Normally, you take chances with two outs, but when you are down by three, you are getting the go-ahead run to the plate right there, you’ve got to stay at third.”
Loftin came on as a pinch hitter. He finished 1-for-2 with an RBI double in the eighth inning.
This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM with the headline "‘Mental mistake’: Royals explain baserunning error in Monday’s loss to Red Sox."
