In a late-game thriller on August 10, 2025, the Kansas City Royals faced off against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, ultimately falling short in a 5-3 loss. Despite having early chances, the Royals struggled to capitalize on their opportunities at the plate.
Starting pitcher Jose Urena for the Twins had a shaky beginning, loading the bases without an out. Vinnie Pasquantino’s line drive was caught by first baseman Kody Clemens, leading to a double play, while a walk to Salvador Perez allowed Adam Frazier to drive in the first run for Kansas City. In the second inning, the Royals again had chances but could not convert, leaving them with a 1-0 lead into the third.
The tide shifted when Twins player Ryan Fitzgerald, in his MLB debut, hit a two-run homer, marking his first career hit and home run, putting Minnesota ahead 2-1. However, the Royals battled back; a two-run blast from Pasquantino in the seventh gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead.
The game saw a series of missed opportunities for the Royals, who struggled with runners in scoring position, failing to capitalize on potential scoring chances throughout the match. This was evident as they finished the game with a dismal 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
As the game progressed into extra innings, Carlos Estevez pitched against Kansas City’s top hitters but was met with resilience from the Twins, culminating in a walk-off two-run homer from Luke Keaschall that sealed the game for Minnesota.
Despite the loss, the Royals are looking to regroup as they return home with a record of 58-60, starting a ten-game homestand against the Nationals. The encouraging highlight from the game remains Pasquantino’s 20th home run and the promising performance of pitcher Ryan Bergert, who showed flashes of brilliance on the mound.
The Royals have a chance to turn things around on this homestand, and the team remains hopeful that lessons learned from this close contest will serve them well in their upcoming games.