The Royals lose their fourth straight game — with KC legends in attendance
Before the first pitch of Friday’s game, the crowd inside Kauffman Stadium cheered loudly for Royals legend Alex Gordon, who was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.
It didn’t get louder than that until the Royals finally gave the crowd something to cheer for in the bottom of the ninth inning. But that rally fell short, a familiar story of late.
Kansas City lost its fourth straight game — all at home — this time a 6-4 loss to the Athletics.
“I asked Salvy (Salvador Perez) why we are better with bullpen guys — when we (face) the bullpen, we (play) better,” KC’s Maikel Garcia said. “I don’t know why we don’t do good (against) starters, but you have to make adjustments and try to fight.”
The Royals, trailing by five runs (6-1) in the ninth, showed signs of life. Nick Loftin brought in two runs with a triple off pitcher Mason Miller. John Rave hit a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to just two.
That was the last run KC scored, as Miller managed to get the next two batters out.
“He’s (Miller) one of the elite arms in the league, throwing 102 miles per hour,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The guys put good at-bats together on him.”
In the end, though, it was a game to forget for Royals fans. Kansas City dropped to 34-36.
Here are other notables from Friday’s game...
Michael Wacha has had better days
Wacha wasn’t at his best Friday. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs with five strikeouts. He surrendered nine hits and two walks.
He particularly struggled in the sixth inning, giving up three runs with the bases loaded. He needed only one more out to get out of the inning.
“I wanted more than anything to get back in that win column today, and I feel like I let the team down,” Wacha said.
Meanwhile, A’s starter Luis Severino had himself a game. He exited midway through the seventh inning after surrendering one earned run and striking out one. He allowed six hits and left six Royals players stranded.
His lone run allowed came in the first inning after Perez doubled, which brought home Garcia.
Kyle Isbel makes it look easy
Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel had perhaps the highlight of the day for the Royals.
In the seventh inning, Isbel made a diving catch to rob the Athletics’ Denzel Clarke of a hit.
Wacha flashes the leather
Wacha showed off his fielding prowess in the third inning.
The Athletics’ Lawrence Butler hit a slow dribbler toward third base that Wacha scurried over to quickly. He picked up the ball barehanded and promptly gunned down the speedy Butler with his throw.
It was a bang-bang play that easily could have been an error or led to Butler getting on base, if not for the quick fielding and accurate throw.
Alex Gordon joins Royals Hall of Fame
Gordon, a lifelong Royal, played all 14 seasons with the club. He left a lasting impact on and off the field, a key point of recognition as he earned membership into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Gordon gave a speech and received a signature blue Royals Hall of Fame jacket from fellow inductee Bo Jackson.
Gordon is now the 31st member of KC’s Hall of Fame.
Next for the Royals: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Athletics at 3:10 p.m. Central Saturday. Michael Lorenzen will face off against the Athletics’ Jacob Lopez.
This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM.
