Royals Pull off Dramatic Victory Over Yankees
Maikel Garcia delivered a game-ending two-run double off Yankees closer Clay Holmes, enabling the Royals to edge out New York 4-3. The dramatic hit allowed Kansas City to avoid a four-game sweep and sparked jubilation among Royals fans.
The Royals' rookie pitcher Alec Marsh showcased his potential by carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. His impressive performance came against a backdrop of Yankees dominance, as New York had controlled the first three games of the series. However, Marsh's resilience set the tone for a remarkable win.
Marsh’s Performance
Marsh allowed a leadoff single to Juan Soto in the seventh inning, ending his no-hit bid. Nevertheless, Marsh recovered quickly, retiring the next three batters to cap his 96-pitch outing. The rookie's effort was crucial in keeping the Yankees at bay for most of the game.
"I thought we had a good game plan going in," Marsh said. "Me and [catcher Freddy Fermin] were on the same page all day. I just felt comfortable out there."
Royals manager Matt Quatraro couldn't hide his admiration for Marsh and the team. "I couldn't be more proud of those guys," Quatraro said. "You're down. That's a really good club with an elite closer coming in. The way they hustle, the way they never quit, it's inspiring for me to come to work every day to be around these guys."
Yankees’ Comeback and Royals’ Response
The Yankees mounted a spirited comeback in the eighth inning. Anthony Rizzo brought New York within one run with a homer, and a critical error by second baseman Garrett Hampson set the stage for Anthony Volpe's RBI grounder. The Yankees then took a 3-2 lead after Angel Zerpa surrendered an RBI single to Soto.
Ninth-Inning Heroics
In a thrilling ninth inning, Drew Waters hit an infield single against Holmes, setting the stage for Garcia's heroics. Following a fielder's choice, Kyle Isbel singled to bring up Garcia, who delivered a liner down the left-field line, scoring MJ Melendez and Isbel. Garcia's clutch performance turned the game on its head and secured a memorable win for the Royals.
James McArthur then sealed the deal for Kansas City by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. The victory moved the Royals into second place in the AL Central and snapped their four-game losing streak.
Solid Outing by Nestor Cortes
Nestor Cortes also had a commendable outing, allowing just two runs over seven innings. His performance lowered his road ERA to 5.57 from 6.17. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Cortes, stating, "I thought Nestor was good. It was a good pitchers' duel. His fastball was playing up. He was at 90, 91, 92, but it had something on it. He had a presence on both sides. I thought he did a good job, like Marsh, of mixing things up to give us seven strong innings."
Cortes faced an offensive threat from the Royals in the sixth inning, but that threat was cut short when Bobby Witt Jr., who had extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the fourth inning, was caught stealing following a pickoff throw by Cortes.
Ejection and Controversy
The game was not without its controversies. Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing obstruction by Gleyber Torres. Despite this, Quatraro remained focused on his team's performance and resilience.
The Royals hope to build on this victory and carry the momentum into their upcoming games, while the Yankees will need to regroup and address their shortcomings. "Quatraro told me he didn't even know I had a no-hitter going," Marsh said. "I responded, 'Don't get tossed next time.’"
With this win, the Royals have demonstrated their potential and determination, setting the stage for what could be an interesting stretch of games ahead. The grit and tenacity displayed by both teams made for an exhilarating game, one that fans on both sides will remember for some time.