Royals win road series -- for first time in a month -- thanks to 9th inning rally

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 3, 2026

Published in Baseball

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The Kansas City Royals raced to an early lead against the Cincinnati Reds. But they needed a late surge on the road at Great American Ball Park for a chance at victory.

They got it — and won, 5-2, Wednesday night — to take their first series of June.

Royals infielders Michael Massey and Nick Loftin combined for three RBIs in the ninth inning. The clutch hitting led the Royals to their first road series win since May 1-3 against the Seattle Mariners.

KC improved to 24-38 with the club’s ninth road victory of 2026.

In the first inning, the Royals scored on Reds star pitcher Chase Burns. The young right-hander made the start after being pushed back due to illness Monday.

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino greeted Burns with a two-run homer. He got atop a 98.5-mph fastball and sent it over the right-field wall. It was Pasquantino’s first home run since May 7 against the Cleveland Guardians.

Burns allowed two runs on four hits and recorded nine strikeouts. He tossed 61 of 98 pitches for strikes and allowed one walk.

Stephen Kolek gave the Royals a chance

For a while, it seemed like the run support would be enough. Royals right-handed starter Stephen Kolek posted a quality start across seven innings. He tied a career high with eight strikeouts and allowed two runs.

Kolek surrendered a two-run homer to Reds outfielder Blake Dunn in the fifth inning. He left an 86.5-mph slider over the plate and Dunn didn’t miss. The home run tied the game at 2-2, and it remained even until the final frames.

Despite a no-decision, Kolek continued to pitch well in the starting rotation. He has nine quality starts in 11 outings since joining the Royals last season.

Both teams turned to their bullpens late. In the ninth inning, Massey continued his hot road trip with an RBI single off Reds reliever Tony Santillan.

Massey worked a 10-pitch at-bat before producing the go-ahead run. And later, Loftin added key insurance runs with a two-run homer.

On the road trip, Massey has six RBIs to lead the club. The Royals finished 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.

In the bottom half, the Royals turned to right-hander Alex Lange to close the game. He tossed a scoreless frame to earn his first save since May 1, 2024, with the Detroit Tigers.

Cincinnati dropped to 31-30 on the season.

What’s next?

Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (2-4, 3.55 ERA) will start Friday night against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Minnesota has not named a starter as first pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. Central.