Royals take 7-7 game into 9th, but Guardians win opener of season's final series

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Sep 26, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY -- For 58 years, Kansas City Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews welcomed generations of fans with his dulcet voice across radio airwaves.

From his catbird seat, Matthews had seen it all.

Matthews, 83, opened the doors to Kauffman Stadium in 1973. He later narrated the Royals’ 1985 and 2015 World Series titles.

If that wasn’t enough, Matthews also witnessed George Brett using too much pine tar, Bo Jackson climbing up walls and Bobby Witt Jr. hitting an inside-the-park home run.

Those moments are synonymous with Royals baseball. Matthews guided Kansas City alongside him in the only way he knew how — with grace and dignity.

On Friday, Matthews received his flowers at Kauffman Stadium. He called his 8,000th career game and was showered with celebratory praise.

The Royals created large signage to commemorate the milestone. Fans were treated to his radio call on the Royals.TV telecast. And in the fifth inning, Matthews received a round of applause and tip of the cap from the Royals’ dugout.

The on-field action met the moment as the Royals and Cleveland Guardians traded runs early in the game.

It was a throwback contest between the American League Central rivals. But the Guardians scored five runs in the ninth inning for a 12-9 victory.

Cleveland first pounded KC left-handed starter Noah Cameron. He surrendered seven runs (six earned) in five innings.

Cameron walked Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan to start the game and proceeded to allow two runs in the first inning. Angel Martinez hit a two-run single as Cleveland took an early lead.

The Royals got a run back in the bottom half of the inning. Bobby Witt Jr. walked and Jac Caglianone drove him home with an RBI double. However, Caglianone would later get caught between third base and home plate.

That was one of several baserunning mistakes by the Royals. Caglianone was later tagged out after wandering too far off second base. And in the eighth, Michael Massey was thrown out as he was attempting to return to first.

Those mistakes ultimately didn’t cost the Royals. That’s because Kansas City native Carter Jensen belted two homers Friday night.

Jensen, who grew up listening to Matthews on the radio, helped the Royals keep pace with the postseason-bound Guardians.

Jensen’s first homer came against Guardians starter Gavin Williams — a 389-foot blast in the second inning. He followed that up with a game-tying shot off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth.

In the process, Jensen surpassed Hall of Famer Mike Piazza with the most extra-base hits (62) all-time for a rookie catcher.

The Royals’ rookies provided the majority of the offense Friday. Jensen finished 2-for-4 with five RBIs and Caglianone drove in two runs.

The Royals’ momentum was short-lived. Nate Pearson walked three batters as the Guardians took their final lead in the ninth. Pearson threw 13 of his first 14 pitches as balls before walking in the go-ahead run.

Nolan Hoffman didn’t fare any better. He walked in two runs with the bases loaded. In total, the bullpen allowed five runs in the ninth.

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer, but the Royals fell to 68-92 with two games to go. KC must win both to reach 70 wins this season.

Meanwhile, the Guardians (84-77) continue to jockey with the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central crown. Both teams won Friday night.

What’s next: Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (9-9, 3.33 ERA) will start Saturday night against the Guardians. He needs 5 2/3 innings to reach 200 innings this season. Cleveland will start right-hander Tanner Bibee (6-15, 4.35 ERA), with first pitch set for 6:10 p.m. Central Time at The K.

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