How the Royals shook off an ugly trend in impressive AL Central win vs. Guardians
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- Michael Wacha allowed a homer but completed seven innings with two earned runs.
- Royals took a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning against the Guardians.
- Kansas City is 16-19 and moved closer to first-place Guardians at 18-18.
The Kansas City Royals were dealt a blow early in their series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
Designated hitter David Fry hit a two-run home run in the second inning, and it felt like an early tone setter.
It was also a familiar feeling: Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha has given up a homer in five of his last six starts.
But Wacha responded and didn’t relinquish another run through seven innings pitched. Then the Royals’ bats, which have aided the recent hot streak, came alive and took over the game — a 6-2 win at Kauffman Stadium.
“(Wacha) doesn’t get fazed by that kind of stuff,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He just resets, you know, he competes like crazy. He’s done this a lot. Obviously, he knows he can keep us in the game.
“So the efficiency was great, kept them on their heels and gave us a chance to come back.”
Here’s a recap of Monday’s action...
Fourth inning was key for the Royals
The Royals took a 4-2 lead in a dynamic fourth inning by taking advantage of Cleveland’s mistakes and riding that momentum to another win.
The Royals had only seven hits on the night, but they were timely and clutch. They ended the evening 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Bobby Witt Jr. began the fourth inning with a solo home run (his third of the season) that quickly got to 422 feet in left center field. On the next pitch, Vinnie Pasquantino smacked the ball off the right field wall and slid headfirst to second for a double.
Salvador Perez drove Pasquantino home with a single that went through starting pitcher Tanner Bibee’s legs — and through the legs of former No. 1 prospect and Cleveland second baseman Travis Bazzana into center field.
Hometown catcher Carter Jensen took a curveball down the right field line to put runners at the corners. Bibee walked Lane Thomas to load the bases.
“I think overall, we’ve talked about the energy is good, the guys feel confident. And I think it’s starting to build,” Quatraro said. “Obviously there’s going to be tough days at times, but these guys believe in themselves. And I think that’s (why) we’re seeing a better brand of baseball.”
Bibee struck out Jac Caglianone and outfielder Isaac Collins before second baseman Nick Loftin slid a smooth-rolling grounder between short and third for a two-run RBI double with two outs. Jensen was initially called out after running home from second but was ruled safe after the Royals challenged.
“It’s not about getting 10 hits in a row with runners in scoring position,” Pasquantino said. “It’s about just having quality at-bats, making the pitcher work. Being able to get Tanner out after four, I mean, that’s huge. He’s a really good pitcher.”
The Royals later added insurance runs. A Caglianone solo homer (his fourth on the season) in the sixth off reliever Matt Festa carried into the right field stands without a doubt for a 5-2 lead.
A Pasquantino line drive over the head of first baseman Rhys Hoskins drove in a run to make it 6-2 in the seventh, clinching a free Hawaiian Bros meal for some fans. After that hit, Pasquantino stole second for his first stolen base of the season.
The steal created a funny moment among the players. Caglianone, Pasquantino’s Team Italy teammate at the WBC, called the slide awful. But baserunning has undoubtedly sparked a couple of recent wins.
“We’ve talked a lot about baserunning. I mean, that sixth run was because Bobby hustled down the line, he forced an error, there’s a ball in the dirt, he goes to second, he steals third,” Quatraro said. “... To put that effort in right there is big, and it shows who he is.”
Michael Wacha & Royals pitchers delivered
Wacha (3-2, 3.05 ERA) ended his evening surrendering four hits, two earned runs, a walk and a home run while collecting three strikeouts through seven innings. The Guardians threatened in the seventh with runners on second and third with two outs, but a lineout from catcher Bo Naylor poured water on the small flame.
Despite the early home run, Wacha posted a quality start, the club’s 18th this season.
“Miss with a cutter, kind of middle of the plate. Just kind of a reminder: Hey, you get ahead, you know, good things usually happen,” Wacha said. The count was 2-0 when Fry hit the home run.
“So just tried to stay on the attack after that, tried to get back ahead, throw that next strike and get back in the zone and stay on the offensive mindset,” Wacha continued.
Lefty reliever Matt Strahm took care of the eighth inning without a scratch; righty Alex Lange got the save in just three-at bats.
With the win, the Royals moved closer to the top of the congested AL Central. KC improved to 16-19, narrowly trailing the first-place Guardians (18-18) after four straight wins, including a rare road sweep of last season’s AL Champion, the Seattle Mariners. The Detroit Tigers are also 18-18.
After an eight game losing streak in April, the winning vibes are apparent.
“If you carry on good vibes, it’s harder to bring those down. The same way, if you’re carrying on bad vibes, it’s harder to bring them up,” Pasquantino said. “We’ve just got to stay right where we are and just keep stacking on good days.”
What’s next: Game 2 of the series is set for 6:40 p.m. Tuesday with Royals righty Stephen Kolek making his first start of the season for the injured Noah Cameron opposite Cleveland’s Gavin Williams (5-1, 2.70).
This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 9:18 PM.
