How KC Royals’ late comeback preserved Cole Ragans’ return against the Mariners
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cole Ragans struck out four and threw 62 pitches in his injury return start.
- Adam Frazier's late home run capped Royals comeback in 7-5 victory in KC.
- Royals moved to 76-76 and stayed alive in AL Wild Card race behind Boston.
Kansas City Royals fans were treated to vintage Cole Ragans on Wednesday night.
The All-Star lefty looked sharp against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. And he reminded everyone just how electric he can be on the mound.
In the first inning, Ragans struck out the side on 11 pitches. He greeted the Mariners’ top trio — Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez — with a steady diet of high-velocity fastballs.
“Obviously, the adrenaline was pumping,” Ragans said. “I felt good and just tried to attack.”
Ragans got Arozarena swinging on three pitches. He overpowered the All-Star outfielder with three fastballs 95 mph or higher. Next, Ragans sent Raleigh — an American League MVP candidate — down on strikes.
Rodriguez received the same fate. He swung through three consecutive heaters before making a U-turn back to the Mariners dugout. All told, Ragans induced nine swings and misses in the first inning alone.
“I feel like in the first inning, they were looking soft and we just kept calling fastballs,” Royals catcher Salvador Perez said. “They were late.”
Ragans walked confidently off the mound. As he reached the dugout, he finished an injury-riddled chapter and reminded fans what’s in store moving forward.
“I’m just trying to execute,” Ragans said. “That’s my whole goal. Just go out there and get ahead of guys. Good things can happen when you get ahead. (If) you fall behind, you know, they are kind of in the driver’s seat.”
Meanwhile, the Royals gave Ragans ample run support in a 7-5 victory. Royals captain Salvador Perez belted a three-run homer in the first inning. It was his 29th home run of the season — 302nd of his career — as KC took an early 3-0 lead.
The Mariners would answer with two runs against Ragans in the second inning. Eugenio Suarez belted a two-run homer of his own in the frame. However, Ragans would keep the lead intact across 3 ⅔ innings.
Ragans was scheduled to throw 60-65 pitches on Wednesday. He was replaced after 3 ⅔ innings as the Royals went to their bullpen. In his final line, Ragans recorded four strikeouts while throwing 42 of 62 pitches for strikes.
Additionally, Ragans finished with 37 swings and 13 whiffs in his return start.
The Mariners snapped their 10-game winning streak.
After Seattle took a late lead, Royals second baseman Adam Frazier reclaimed it with a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning. KC also added significant insurance runs as rookie catcher Carter Jensen and superstar Bobby Witt Jr. recorded key RBIs.
“Just fight, that’s all we can do,” Frazier said. “A couple of hits, and I think he walked a guy to lead off the inning, so that always helps. Yeah, it’s just fighting.”
The Royals (76-76) remained alive in the American League Wild Card race. KC returned to the .500 mark and is now seven games behind the Mariners for the final AL playoff spot.
“It’s just one day at a time,” Frazier said. “We’re not eliminated, so all we can do is show up and try to win the game.”
Kyle Isbel sustains injury
In the third inning, the Royals pulled center fielder Kyle Isbel from the game. He was replaced by Tyler Tolbert in the lineup after exiting with left hamstring discomfort.
Isbel grounded out to first base in the bottom of the second. He ran down the first-base line but pulled up limping. He walked to the dugout and was chatting with Royals head athletic trainer Kyle Turner on the bench.
“He felt something in his hamstring,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We will get an MRI in the morning and see how it is.”
Tolbert patrolled center field for the remainder of the game. He added two singles in the fourth and sixth innings.
Isbel entered Wednesday’s action hitting .256 with four home runs and 33 RBIs.
The Royals are also expecting to place right-handed starter Ryan Bergert on the 15-day injured list. Bergert sustained right forearm tightness during his bullpen session. He will not start Friday, as Michael Lorenzen will draw the nod against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lorenzen pitched one inning on Wednesday night. He made a relief appearance in the fifth.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series with the Mariners on Thursday afternoon. Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek (5-5, 3.71 ERA) will start opposite fellow righty Luis Castillo (9-8, 3.76 ERA) at Kauffman Stadium.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 9:46 PM with the headline "How KC Royals’ late comeback preserved Cole Ragans’ return against the Mariners."
