Royals missed one of their biggest bats Tuesday. How they’re managing his injury
After scoring 11 runs in Monday’s series opener, the Kansas City Royals went dormant offensively against the Milwaukee Brewers.
A big piece of the Royals offense was missing. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino received the night off as he continues to nurse a right hamstring strain.
Pasquantino’s absence shifted the Royals lineup in a 5-0 defeat to the Brewers. Michael Massey was inserted in the third spot and MJ Melendez operated as the designated hitter.
Pasquantino had slotted in at DH each game this season.
The Royals recorded four hits. The Brewers scored five runs en route to their first win of the 2025 campaign. KC dropped to 2-3.
“We got some guys on base, we just didn’t capitalize when we had them on,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Overall, we didn’t put a ton of good swings on (Brewers starter Chad Patrick).”
Patrick tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in the victory.
Pasquantino holds a key role in the Royals lineup. He offers protection for Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. and is a top run producer. Last season, Pasquantino hit .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs in 131 games.
And he has been productive so far in 2025.
Pasquantino has a home run, triple and double in 14 at-bats. He leads the team with four RBIs, despite not playing Tuesday.
The Royals missed his presence in the fifth inning. The Brewers clung to a 2-0 lead and decided to take the bat out of Witt’s hands. Witt was intentionally walked to bring the go-ahead run to the plate against left-handed reliever Jared Koenig.
Massey stepped to the plate in the third spot. He grounded out as the Royals left two runners stranded.
“I’ve seen him a couple times in my career and he is a tough at-bat,” Massey said. “He creates a pretty good angle from the left side. You know, I just tried to stay on him and get a good pitch to hit. I felt like I had a good at-bat. I just didn’t get the barrel there on that last one.”
It was the theme of the night. The Royals were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
The Brewers manufactured their runs. Catcher Eric Haase hit a solo homer in the third inning and Milwaukee turned walks — with no outs — into pivotal sixth-inning runs.
Brewers star Christian Yelich sealed the victory with a solo homer in the eighth.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Game 1: Royals score 11 runs as Kris Bubic dominates first start
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Michael Lorenzen makes first start of 2025
The Royals re-signed Lorenzen this offseason to add another veteran presence in the starting rotation.
Lorenzen impressed the Royals coaching staff by posting a 1.57 ERA last season after being acquired from the Texas Rangers. On Tuesday, Lorenzen got a chance to start the 2025 campaign off right.
“It was kind of a mixed bag and the results weren’t, you know, what I wanted,” Lorenzen said. “You want to, obviously, go out and not give up runs, win a game and keep it close. The process and the way I felt with pitch quality was great. Just the results off the bat weren’t great.”
Lorenzen allowed four runs (three earned) and struck out seven batters in his start. Haase tagged him with a solo homer but Lorenzen was able to limit the damage. He tossed 59 of 97 pitches for strikes and went 5 ⅓ innings.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their midweek series against the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon. Left-handed ace Cole Ragans will make his second start against right-hander Freddy Peralta.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 9:22 PM.
