Cubs spoil Daniel Lynch IV's return to Royals' starting rotation

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Aug 7, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch IV returned to the starting rotation on Friday night against the Chicago Cubs.

After two years as a primary reliever, Lynch finally achieved his goal of being handed the baseball first for the Royals. Unfortunately, Lynch wound up on the losing end as the Royals fell, 6-4, at Kauffman Stadium.

In the first inning, Lynch worked a scoreless frame. He pitched around a two-out walk after beginning the game with a strikeout. Lynch got Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong swinging on an 88.7-mph slider at the bottom of the strike zone.

From there, Lynch nearly escaped second-inning trouble. He was limited to around 30 to 40 pitches as he continued to build up his arm progression. Lynch retired Nico Horner and got Ian Happ on strikes.

However, Carson Kelly tagged Lynch with a single. Next, Pedro Ramirez added a single of his own, and Dansby Swanson worked a walk. And Lynch, who was efficient early, found himself in a bases-loaded jam.

He faced Crow-Armstrong for a second time. Yet, the Royals defense let him down as Michael Massey made a throwing error to first base. Crow-Armstrong was credited with an RBI after hitting a line drive in-between Massey and first baseman Jac Caglianone.

Massey made a strong effort ranging toward the baseball. And once he did, Lynch went to cover the first-base bag but couldn’t snag the incoming throw.

As a result, the Cubs scored two runs on the play. And ultimately, Chicago added two additional runs when Seiya Suzuki hit a two-run single.

It was RBI Nos. 65 and 66 for Suzuki on the season.

Lynch was charged with all four runs. He faced 10 batters while registering two strikeouts and two walks in 1 and 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, the Royals struggled offensively against new Cubs starter Kevin Gausman. The veteran right-hander made his first Chicago start after arriving at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gausman was just as advertised. He allowed two earned runs across six innings in picking up his first win with the Cubs. The Royals recorded four hits — including Isaac Collins’ RBI double — in the loss.

Royals rookie Carter Jensen also hit his 16th home run of the season. It was a solo shot in the fifth inning as the club cut into Friday’s deficit. This season, Jensen is tied with Salvador Perez for the second-most homers on the team.

However, the Royals wouldn’t draw much closer — despite scoring two late runs.

In the eighth inning, Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single off Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar as Tyler Tolbert scored. The Royals ultimately got the go-ahead run to the plate, but Nick Loftin flew out against Cubs reliever Trent Thornton to end the threat.

Cubs closer Jacob Webb picked up the save on 13 pitches in the ninth.

Chicago improved to 68-49 with the victory. They are now 23-18 all time against the Royals (since 1997).

KC dropped to 48-69. The club dropped its second consecutive game after beginning a six-game homestand with a series victory over the Minnesota Twins.

What’s next?

The Royals will start right-hander Seth Lugo (4-7, 4.41 ERA) on Saturday night against the Cubs. Meanwhile, Chicago hasn’t announced a starter ahead of first pitch, slated for 6:10 p.m. Central Time.