How a rare defensive play helped Royals earn series-opening win vs. Guardians
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- Michael Wacha delivered six effective innings, limiting Cleveland to one run.
- Two double plays erased threats and kept Wacha’s pitch count low.
- Jonathan India and Carter Jensen supplied key homers to secure the win.
The Kansas City Royals needed a quality start.
After a tough home series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the bullpen was taxed coming into Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Royals starter Michael Wacha answered the call — with some help. Wacha allowed one earned run in seven innings as the Royals won 4-2 over the Guardians at Progressive Field.
“I felt good,” Wacha said.
It was his first start in eight days. Last week, the Royals pushed Wacha due to illness, which granted him additional rest.
That paid off against the Guardians.
“I’m glad that sickness is out of me and was able to get back out there,” Wacha said. “Having that extended time off, you know, is good. I know I mixed in a few walks there, but overall I thought the stuff was good.”
Wacha was efficient in the strike zone. He navigated the Cleveland lineup primarily with his four-seam fastball, changeup and cutter. The heater registered 10 of 12 first-pitch strikes and generated 14 swings, per Statcast.
“He just looked in command,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And then, when he’d get behind, he would just continue to pound strikes and make them put the ball in play.”
The Guardians didn’t have many chances. All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan hit a solo homer in the third, but Wacha limited the damage. He worked out of trouble in the fourth and sixth innings, thanks in large part to his defense.
Royals record rare double play
The Royals pulled off a rare 5-6-4-3 double play to end the fourth. Guardians designated hitter Rhys Hoskins lined a ball off Maikel Garcia’s glove. The baseball trickled over to Bobby Witt Jr., who fired to Jonathan India for an out at second.
India then threw to first and got Hoskins in time. The defensive play kept the score tied at 1-1 — and more importantly kept Wacha’s pitch count manageable.
The last 5-6-4-3 double play in the majors happened in 1995.
“Yeah, we were working on that pregame,” Witt joked. “Auggie (Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil), he has been helping us try it. No, I’m just kidding. It’s cool. Those reactionary plays, those are the ones you never think of. It just happens and you play it out. Play this game long enough and something crazy happens.”
In the sixth, Vinnie Pasquantino added another double play. He caught a line drive off Kyle Manzardo’s bat and threw to Witt to pick off Chase DeLauter at second.
Both defensive plays kept the Guardians off the scoreboard.
“The defense had my back there for sure,” Wacha said.
Carter Jensen turns page
The Royals built their offense behind India and Carter Jensen.
Jensen finished 2-for-4. He hit the go-ahead homer in the sixth inning off Guardians reliever Peyton Pallette, just days after a gaffe took him out of the lineup back at home.
“I didn’t want to get cheated,” Jensen said. “Didn’t want to let him sneak one past me. So I just got a pitch in my wheelhouse and did what I wanted to do with it.”
India added key insurance runs in the eighth inning. He hit a two-run homer over the left-field wall — his second of the season — and finished with three RBIs.
The Royals improved to 5-5. They bested Guardians starter Tanner Bibee, who entered with a career 3.19 ERA in eight starts against the Royals.
Bibee allowed just one earned run in 4 ⅔ innings, but Cleveland dropped to 6-5.
Wacha won his first game of the 2026 season. The Royals’ bullpen allowed a run as Brayan Rocchio hit a solo homer in the eighth. However, Lucas Erceg shut the door with his third save of the year.
What’s next: Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will start opposite the Guardians’ Gavin WIlliams (1-1, 2.25 ERA) on Tuesday afternoon at Progressive Field. First pitch is set for 12:10 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 8:05 PM.
