Key decision backfires in Royals' loss to Nationals

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 15, 2026

Published in Baseball

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WASHINGTON — The Kansas City Royals granted right-hander Mitch Spence a spot start Monday night against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

And it turned out to be a good decision … for about four innings.

Spence had pitched well up to that point. He allowed two earned runs and avoided trouble while navigating the Washington batting order twice.

Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead provided the lone early damage — a two-run single off the glove of Royals second baseman Nick Loftin — to put Washington on the scoreboard.

The Royals even gave Spence a slim lead. Maikel Garcia added a clutch two-run single as Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone scored to begin the fifth inning.

All Spence needed was a shutdown inning. And Royals manager Matt Quatraro left him in to face the bottom of the Nationals order with the lead in hand.

However, this decision didn’t turn out well. And it led to the Royals dropping the road series opener 7-3 to the Nationals.

In the fifth inning, Spence allowed two consecutive singles as Washington flipped over the lineup card. Then, he walked Nationals star James Wood to load the bases with no outs.

After a quick mound visit, Spence left a 94 mph cutter atop the strike zone against Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. The veteran infielder recorded a two-run single to give Washington a 4-3 lead.

Spence was knocked out of the game. The Royals would turn to right-handed reliever Mason Black, and he later served up a three-run homer to Dylan Crews.

Crews belted an 88.1 mph slider left over the plate. The baseball traveled over the left-field wall as the Royals were suddenly down four runs.

What began as a promising start was quickly derailed.

Spence was charged with six earned runs in four innings of work. He allowed seven hits, issued a walk and struck out a batter.

The Royals’ offense failed to respond. Kansas City was held scoreless the final three innings as Washington improved to 38-35 this season.

From the sixth inning onward, the Royals recorded just one hit. Nationals relievers Brad Lord and Clayton Beeter bridged the gap after lefty starter Andrew Alvarez departed after four innings.

Alvarez allowed a run on five hits. He recorded five strikeouts while tossing 40-of-58 pitches for strikes.

The Royals dropped to 29-44. The offense finished 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.

What’s next

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (4-5, 3.58 ERA) will start opposite Nationals lefty Foster Griffin (7-2, 3.46 ERA) in Tuesday’s matchup. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

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