Royals’ comeback win vs. Guardians showed growth from one of KC’s top prospects
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jac Caglianone's seventh-inning walk triggered Royals' late-game comeback.
- Vinnie Pasquantino reached 100 RBIs, leading KC in RBIs and home runs in 2025.
- Royals' bullpen held firm after starter shift, limiting damage in key Guardians win.
When Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone went on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha, there was a clear goal in mind.
Caglianone, who struggled with his plate discipline, needed to improve the selection of pitches that he swung at. Simply put, the Royals wanted Caglianone to work counts and get in advantageous situations.
Since returning on Sept. 1, Caglianone has walked five times in seven games. And his biggest walk might have come Wednesday in a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
In the seventh inning, Caglianone stepped to the plate against Guardians left-handed reliever Tim Herrin. It was a real challenge for Caglianone, who was hitting .176 against lefties with one walk this season.
“For me, it was really just kind of knowing the situation,” Caglianone said. “You know, he is a super-talented lefty and he’s got a good sinker and a good off-speed. So my plan going into it was just trying to keyhole one spot. If it wasn’t there, I wasn’t going to swing.”
Caglianone held his own. He eschewed three balls on the inside part of the plate. Then, he took two called strikes before reaching first on the sixth pitch.
“I kind of used some advice I got earlier this year — just shrink the zone in those type of counts,” Caglianone said. “That’s exactly what I did. And thankfully, the two-seam tried to backdoor again and didn’t catch any plate. It ended up working good and I’m glad it sparked the two runs to score.”
Royals manager Matt Quatraro quickly went to his bench. Pinch runner Tyler Tolbert replaced Caglianone and Nick Loftin came to the plate as a pinch hitter.
Tolbert stole second base off Herrin. Then, Loftin followed with an RBI single to tie the score 3-3 with the top of the lineup lurking. Prior to the at-bat, Loftin was 1-for-14 as a pinch-hitter this season.
“I was just taking until he got to second base,” Loftin said. “That’s what he’s supposed to do, find a way to steal that bag. And they threw a pitchout — that’s what it looked like to me — he was safe as could be. So you know, once he got to second base, my job was to find a way to get a base hit and let Tolbert do the rest.”
The Guardians turned to reliever Hunter Gaddis to face Maikel Garcia. However, Garcia made him pay with a double off the left-field wall. The Royals surged forward as Lucas Erceg tossed two innings of relief and Carlos Estévez slammed the door with his 39th save.
“Your back’s against the wall here as they won the first two games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We’re fighting to hang on and those guys stepped up.”
The Royals needed the comeback victory. KC is now 3 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League Wild Card race.
Vinnie Pasquantino reaches career milestone
The Royals’ standout first baseman can add another item to his career resume. On Wednesday, Pasquantino recorded his 100th RBI of the season.
He drove in Witt with a third-inning single. The run tied the game as the Royals kept pace with the Guardians at Progressive Field.
“From the personal side, like it’s cool and I feel like I’ve been waiting on it for a little over a year now,” Pasquantino said. “Excited to have gotten there and, more importantly, tied the game up.”
Pasquantino now has a great chance at reaching 30 homers and 100 RBIs this season. He is one home run away from the single-season mark.
On many nights, Pasquantino fuels the Royals’ offense. He leads the team in home runs and RBIs and has the fourth-most homers by a Royals left-handed hitter. His 29 homers trail only Mike Moustakas (38 in 2017), John Mayberry (34 in 1975) and George Brett (30 in 1985).
“It’s definitely a cool thing, but couldn’t do it without these guys getting on base in front of me,” Pasquantino said. “So credit, especially, (Jonathan) India, Maikel, (Bobby Witt Jr.), (Kyle) Isbel. Those guys getting on base all the time makes it a little bit easier for me.”
Now, Pasquantino has 100 RBIs for the first time in his career. He came just three RBIs short in 2024 before being sidelined by a fractured right thumb.
With 16 games remaining, Pasquantino is one of just eight players with 100 or more RBIs in Major League Baseball.
Royals toss bullpen game
The Royals looked to fill the void with veteran pitcher Michael Wacha sidelined on the seven-day concussion injured list.
Wacha was initially scheduled to start Wednesday. However, he was involved in an off-field accident that forced the Royals to shift their pitching plans.
Quatraro relied on his bullpen against the Guardians. Reliever Jonathan Bowlan — who became a full-time reliever this season — made the spot start before giving way to a convoy of pitchers.
Bowlan allowed two runs in two innings. He was followed by Angel Zerpa, Sam Long, Luinder Avila, Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez.
The bullpen kept the Royals in the game. Guardians slugger Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run homer and Bo Naylor recorded an RBI single — however, that was the lone damage.
“I knew I had to come in and I was fresh out of the bullpen,” Avila said through a translator. “And I felt good to go multiple innings.”
Erceg tossed two innings as the Royals held a late lead. Then, Estévez ensured the Royals would walk away victorious and Avila earning his first big-league win.
“The goal for us today was to just keep passing the baton like we have been doing all season,” Erceg said.
The Royals were efficient as the Guardians left seven men on base. Cleveland finished 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their four-game series against the Guardians on Thursday night at Progressive Field. Right-hander Stephen Kolek (5-5, 3.88 ERA) will start opposite fellow righty Gavin Williams (10-5, 3.17 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Royals’ comeback win vs. Guardians showed growth from one of KC’s top prospects."
