Royals vs Nationals Recap: Big Comeback Hurts Royals in Loss

The Washington Nationals welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Nationals Park on Monday night. Washington had just won two straight games and carried momentum into the matchup. Kansas City arrived with a 29-43 record but had won their last game. The Royals were missing first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino due to a fractured hamate bone in his hand that required surgery. Kansas City also had starting pitcher Cole Ragans sidelined with an elbow issue. The Nationals struck early with their young, powerful lineup ready to produce runs. By the final pitch, Washington dominated the night with a convincing 7-3 victory over Kansas City. The win gave the Nationals their third straight triumph and kept them rolling in June.

Curtis Mead delivered immediately for Washington in the third inning. Mitch Spence threw a 92-mile-per-hour sinker to Mead with two outs. Mead connected with a sharp single up the middle that screamed into center field. Nasim Nunez and James Wood both scored on the hit to give Washington a 2-0 lead. Kansas City answered quickly in the fourth. Carter Jensen reached on an infield single to second base, scoring Starling Marte and moving Nick Loftin to third. The score tightened to 2-1. Washington's bats kept swinging in the fifth inning. Luis Garcia Jr. singled to left field. That single brought Nunez and Keibert Ruiz home, pushing the lead back to 4-1 for the Nationals.

Maikel Garcia stepped up in the fifth inning for Kansas City with a chance to drive in runs. Brad Lord was pitching for Washington and threw a 94-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball. Garcia connected and ripped a single to right field. Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone both came home on the hit. Kansas City pulled within 4-3. But Washington's bats were relentless. Dylan Crews launched a massive home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth. The ball traveled 366 feet and cleared the wall with authority. Crews' blast scored both James Wood and Luis Garcia Jr., giving Washington a commanding 7-3 lead. That homer essentially put the game away. The Nationals cruised to victory, improving their record to 37-35. Kansas City fell to 29-44 after the defeat.