Vinnie Pasquantino, who has been hitting exceptionally well lately, went deep for a three-run homer in the top of the first inning against Texas Rangers pitcher Caleb Boushley on Wednesday. Despite this strong start for the Kansas City Royals, their offense stalled afterwards, and the game slipped away in the final moments. The Royals and Rangers remained tied at three runs heading into the ninth inning before a costly mistake by Pasquantino changed the outcome.
Defensive Misplay Leads to Game-Deciding Runs
With two outs in the ninth, the Rangers secured a walk, putting a runner on first base. Corey Seager then hit a sharply struck two-hop grounder towards Pasquantino, who was positioned to hold the runner on first. Unfortunately, Pasquantino was unable to cleanly field the ball on his forehand and could not recover quickly enough to stop Seager from advancing safely. This error opened the door for the Rangers to capitalize with an infield hit followed by a bases-clearing double, resulting in a 6-3 lead that the Rangers maintained to close out the game.
Pasquantino Accepts Responsibility for the Loss
The defeat ended Kansas City’s five-game winning streak and prevented them from narrowing the gap in the American League wild card race. Pasquantino openly acknowledged that his error was the direct cause of the loss. “Just not good enough,” he said after the game, according to Robert Falkoff of <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB.com.
“The play has to get made. Nothing happened other than me not catching it. Lost this game. I mean, pretty simple. Make that play, you’ve got a chance to head into the bottom of the ninth there (tied). Direct cause and effect was me not catching that ball.”
Wild Card Race Stakes Rise After Setback
This loss left the Royals trailing the Seattle Mariners by two and a half games for the final American League wild card spot, while also sitting three games behind the Boston Red Sox and four and a half behind the New York Yankees. Kansas City’s hopes hinge on overtaking one of these teams while maintaining an edge over those chasing from behind. Each remaining game carries heightened importance as the season winds down.
Looking Ahead: Royals Aim to Bounce Back Quickly
Despite the tough loss, the Royals have a chance to respond promptly in the series finale against the Rangers Thursday at 1:10 p.m. CT. Pasquantino emphasized the need to focus and move forward without dwelling on the mistake. “Quick turnaround,” he commented, as reported by Falkoff.
“We just have to attack what’s in front of us.”
Implications for Kansas City’s Playoff Push
Pasquantino’s admission and the subsequent defeat highlight the fragile nature of Kansas City’s playoff chase. How the Royals rebound in their next game will reveal much about their resilience. With key divisional spots still up for grabs, maintaining composure and executing under pressure remain critical. The team’s ability to overcome adversity could determine if they capture a postseason berth this year.