KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nick Loftin played a pivotal role in the Kansas City Royals’ thrilling 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. Loftin hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, which gave the Royals a lead, and then secured the win with a one-out RBI single in the ninth.
Rookie Jac Caglianone also made headlines with a remarkable 421-foot home run in the second inning, marking his first extra-base hit at Kauffman Stadium in 14 games, following a challenging stretch where he managed only five hits in 46 at-bats at home.
The game showcased an exciting back-and-forth. Oneil Cruz tied the game for the Pirates with a spectacular 458-foot homer in the fourth inning on the day he was announced as a participant in the upcoming Home Run Derby. Nick Gonzales then put the Pirates in the lead by hitting a homer in the seventh, only for Loftin to respond shortly after and restore Kansas City’s advantage.
The eighth inning saw Bryan Reynolds tie the game for Pittsburgh with an RBI groundout. However, it was Loftin’s decisive moment in the ninth that ultimately clinched the game for the Royals. After Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez got on base, Loftin delivered the game-winning single against pitcher Isaac Mattson.
The night was also notable for both teams’ starting pitchers, Mitch Keller of the Pirates and Seth Lugo of the Royals, who each performed well and are expected to be trade candidates as the July 31 deadline approaches.
Kansas City has now won five of its last six games, highlighting a positive shift for the team just ahead of the All-Star Break. The Royals are hoping to carry this momentum into their upcoming matchup, while the Pirates will aim to regroup as they continue their difficult nine-game road trip.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday night for the final game of the series, featuring Pittsburgh’s Bailey Falter against Kansas City’s Kris Bubic.