Royals blank Astros to take series finale

· Yahoo Sports

Jun 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) throws to first base after forcing out Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Royals shut out the Astros on Sunday after allowing 18 runs the first two games. Stephen Kolek was great in the Royals 4-0 victory. The Royals record moves to 29-43 on the series after a 2-4 homestand.

The Royals got on the board early and often against Spencer Arrighetti, who is having a great start to his season. In the bottom of the first, Bobby Witt Jr. singled and stole second with one out. Maikel Garcia drove him in with a laser to left field to put the Royals up 1-0 immediately.

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Witt turned 26 today and he was doing everything. On the day, he went 2-4 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Oh, and he added this diving catch to his long resume of nearly impossible plays.

The Royals tacked on 3 runs in the bottom half of the 3rd inning. Isaac Collins walked on 4 pitches to start the inning; he went to third on Carter Jensen’s single. After Witt popped out, Jac Caglianone came through, lining a single into right. Garcia just got one past the third baseman down the line (ala Salvy in 2014) to bring Jensen and Jac in on the double, 4-0 Kansas City.

That was all that Stephen Kolek needed as he was untouchable all day. Kolek went 7.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, no runs, walking 1 and striking out 4. His ERA for the season now sits at 2.68. He also made this nice play to start a huge double play to get him out of a jam.

A one out walk and single chased Kolek in the 8th inning. Steven Cruz came in and got a strike out and a weak groundout to end the inning. Cruz continues to look more and more like the 2025 version of himself after being called back up.

Daniel Lynch IV got the 9th, and it was uneventful. A quick 1-2-3 inning for the Royals most consistent reliever this season.

The Royals will take a quick road trip to the nation’s capital to play a 37-35 Nationals team. They return home for the Cardinals next weekend. First pitch for tomorrow is set for 5:45 p.m. CT.

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