Royals snap 6-game losing streak — in emphatic fashion — in Monday’s win at Reds
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- Lane Thomas hit a two-out grand slam in the first inning to set the tempo.
- Royals recorded 13 hits and three home runs in a 9-2 win.
- Avila allowed one run and two hits in five innings and earned his first win this season.
The Kansas City Royals came out swinging in an attempt to snap their six-game losing streak Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
In the first inning, Royals outfielder Lane Thomas belted a two-out grand slam off Reds right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson. He turned around a 95.7 mph fastball that was elevated atop the strike zone.
Thomas set the tempo. And his teammates followed en route to a 9-2 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
“It’s nice to get out to an early lead,” Thomas told Royals.TV’s Joel Goldberg after the game. “You know, you see what it’s like when you get a comfortable lead and guys are taking good at-bats all the way through the game. You put up a good amount of runs.”
The Royals also caught a break, avoiding young Reds ace Chase Burns, who was scratched due to illness. He was slated to start, and Reds manager Terry Francona opted for a bullpen game.
KC took full advantage. The club recorded 13 hits, including three home runs, against the Reds’ relief staff.
In the fifth inning, Jac Caglianone hit a solo homer off left-hander Brandon Leibrandt. He got atop an 83.5 mph slider and sent it 419 feet over the center-field wall.
“Jac put a great swing on that,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters in Cincinnati. “We know that he can do that against lefties. Driving that ball to the left side of the field was big. And then continuing to tack on throughout. You just never know, especially in this ballpark, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Later, Michael Massey hit his second home run in consecutive days. Since April 21, Massey is hitting .270 with 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles, five homers) and 14 RBIs.
The club has scored six or more runs 13 times this season. The offense aided Royals right-hander Luinder Avila in his second career start.
Avila allowed a run and two hits in five innings. He threw 45 of 86 pitches for strikes while relying on two different fastballs and a trio of off-speed pitches.
Despite four walks, Avila was able to secure his first victory this season. In the sixth inning, the Royals turned to their bullpen to close out the game. KC pitchers John Schreiber, Alex Lange, Mason Black and Eli Morgan allowed an additional run in relief.
“I got their support, so I felt like I didn’t want to let anybody down,” Avila told reporters via a translator. “I felt like I had to support them and I went out to compete.”
The Royals improved to 23-37. It’s their eighth road victory after entering play with the second-worst mark in the majors.
Thomas finished 3-for-5. He is hitting .299 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 39 career games against the Reds.
“That was a huge swing, literally, and a swing in the game,” Quatraro said of Thomas’ grand slam. “The at-bats to load the bases, the walks and being disciplined. He’s almost off the hook and, first pitch, Lane was ready to hit.”
Cincinnati dropped to 30-29. The Reds recorded four hits and finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. JJ Bleday provided the lone offense with his 10th home run in the first inning.
What’s next: Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.61 ERA) will start Tuesday night opposite Reds lefty Andrew Abbott (4-3, 3.88). First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. Central from the Great American Ball Park.
This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 9:14 PM.
