Royals snap 6-game losing streak with 9-2 win at Reds

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 1, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

The Kansas City Royals came out swinging in an attempt to snap their six-game losing streak Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

In the first inning, Royals outfielder Lane Thomas belted a two-out grand slam off Reds right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson. He turned around a 95.7-mph fastball that was elevated atop the strike zone.

Thomas set the tempo. And his teammates followed en route to a 9-2 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Royals avoided young Reds ace Chase Burns in the game. Prior to first pitch, Burns was scratched due to illness. He was slated to start and Reds manager Terry Francona opted for a bullpen game.

KC took full advantage. The club recorded 13 hits, including three home runs, against the Reds’ relief staff.

In the fifth inning, Jac Caglianone hit a solo homer off left-hander Brandon Leibrandt. He got atop an 83.5-mph slider and sent it 419 feet over the center-field wall.

And later, Michael Massey hit his second home run in consecutive days. Since April 21, Massey is hitting .270 with 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles, five homers) and 14 RBIs.

The club has scored six or more runs 13 times this season. The offense aided Royals right-hander Luinder Avila in his second career start.

Avila allowed a run and two hits in five innings. He threw 45 of 86 pitches for strikes while relying on two different fastballs and a trio of off-speed pitches.

Despite four walks, Avila was able to secure his first victory this season. In the sixth inning, the Royals turned to their bullpen to close out the game. KC pitchers John Schreiber, Alex Lange, Mason Black and Eli Morgan allowed an additional run among them in relief.

The Royals improved to 23-37. It’s their eighth road victory after entering play with the second-worst mark in the majors.

Thomas finished 3 for 5. He is hitting .299 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 39 career games against the Reds.

Cincinnati dropped to 30-29. The Reds recorded four hits and finished 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. JJ Bleday provided the lone offense with his 10th home run in the first inning.

What’s next?

Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.61 ERA) will start Tuesday night opposite Reds lefty Andrew Abbott (4-3, 3.88). First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. Central from the Great American Ball Park.