Kansas City Royals end losing streak with impressive pitching performance vs. Astros
For the first time in a while, the Kansas City Royals made things look easy on Sunday.
In the process, the Royals both ended a four-game losing streak and avoided the sweep vs. the Houston Astros.
The Royals (29-43) beat the Astros 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Kaufman Stadium.
“We’ve lost these games recently, and it’s been really frustrating, but these guys are competing their butts off,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Every one of these games in this homestand was a tough game one way or the other. ...
“The way these guys are competing and the attitude they are taking out there, I’m proud of them for that.”
Kansas City got on the board first Sunday when Maikel Garcia singled to bring in Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a double from Garcia that brought in two more runs.
Kansas City never scored again, but it didn’t matter after a stellar outing by starter Stephen Kolek.
“The fact that they put that ... total game together today,” Quatraro said, “was really impressive.”
Take a look back at how the game unfolded...
Stephen Kolek dominates Astros
Kolek had one of his best outings of the season Sunday afternoon. He was in complete control.
He pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing zero runs with four strikeouts of his own. He surrendered only five hits and one walk.
“I just finally felt like I was getting back to myself there,” Kolek said. “I felt like I (hit) the zone with a lot of pitches, located fastballs well enough to challenge them at any counts in any situation.”
He even showed off his fielding prowess. In the sixth inning, Kolek caught a ball that quickly came toward him and started a double play: He threw to second and second baseman Michael Massey threw to first to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti has had better days. He pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs with seven strikeouts. He gave up eight hits and one walk.
Maikel Garcia’s stellar day
Garcia was a big reason why Kansas City won on Sunday. He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs
After his RBI single that scored the Royals’ first run, he doubled in the fifth inning to give the Royals a commanding 4-0 lead. In his last at-bat, he singled in the eighth inning.
Stolen bases galore
The Royals weren’t shy about trying to steal bases on Sunday. In fact, Kansas City stole two bases in the first inning alone.
First, Witt stole second base. Two batters later, it happened again. After Garcia got on base with a single to left, he stole second base during Massey’s at-bat.
Unlike Witt, Garcia remained stranded on second after Massey popped out for the final out of the inning.
Those weren’t the only two stolen bases. Royals center fielder Kameron Misner stole second base in the fourth inning, while Witt stole second in the fifth and advanced to third on a throwing error by Astros catcher Collin Price.
In the seventh inning, Carter Jensen attempted to steal second base and, after a review, was called out. In total, the Royals stole four bases.
Stealing bases was a big emphasis for the Royals.
“Arrighetti gives you some time, that’s one, and the guys that were on, you look at who we have — we have some guys that can run,” Quatraro said. “We need to try to take advantage of that when the opportunity presents itself because we haven’t been slugging. We’ve got to put some pressure on the other team.”
What’s next: The Royals will travel to Washington, D.C., to play the Nationals. The Royals’ starter will be right-hander Mitch Spence (0-0, 13.50 ERA) while the Nationals will start Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 3.70 ERA). First pitch is set for 5:45 p.m. Central on Monday.
This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 3:56 PM.
