Royals fall to Astros on 9th-inning error after weather delay

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 14, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals found themselves locked in another slugfest against the Houston Astros on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

A day after combining for 18 runs, the teams put together an encore performance — that is, when they weren’t dodging the inclement weather that descended on the metro late in the game.

The Royals raced to an early three-run lead, surrendered it and lost, 8-7.

Royals outfielder Lane Thomas smacked his third home run while Michael Massey hit an RBI single in the second inning.

The Astros (33-39) tied the game and chased Royals starter Noah Cameron with two home runs in the fifth inning.

Then it became a battle of the bullpens. KC’s Carter Jensen recorded a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning, but the Royals gave the lead right back.

In the seventh, Matt Strahm allowed a two-run homer to Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. The blast tied the game at 7-7 and then heavy rains halted play.

Strahm has allowed a homer in six of his last eight games. The stretch includes one in each of his last four games.

When play resumed, the Royals were an out away from escaping ninth-inning trouble. However, Nick Loftin, who pinch hit for Michael Massey, committed a costly error, throwing just wide of Jac Caglianone, who was playing first base because Vinnie Pasquantino had exited the game earlier with an injury (more about that below).

As the ball skidded past Caglianone, Houston’s Joey Loperfido scored the go-ahead run.

The Royals (28-43) failed to make a comeback. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled with one out in the bottom of the ninth but was picked off second base as Isaac Collins lined into a game-ending double play.

The Astros win the series outright. The Royals will look to salvage a victory in the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

Cameron can’t escape 5th inning

Entering Saturday’s game, Cameron had a 1.80 ERA in his last five starts. He had recorded 31 strikeouts and three walks in that span.

He was more aggressive in the strike zone. In is most recent outing, he recorded a first-pitch strike 52% of the time.

It appeared Cameron would continue this hot stretch against the Astros on Saturday. He pitched three scoreless innings before hitting a wall.

Cameron allowed two significant homers in the middle innings. Christian Walker hit a two-run blast to make it 2-2, sending an 83-mph curveball 394 feet into the left-field bullpen.

Later, Cameron threw a 90.5-mph sinker up to Astros outfielder Brice Matthews. It resulted in another homer, again to tie the game. Matthews hit a 434-foot blast to center field — his second homer of the series — as Houston evened the score at 4.

Cameron wouldn’t escape the fifth inning. He was pulled after 4 1/3 innings and charged with four earned runs.

The Royals turned to right-hander John Schreiber to finish the inning. Cameron has allowed six home runs this season — but he had only allowed one in his most recent eight starts before Saturday night.

Pasquantino exits early

The Royals are dealing with another significant injury. Pasquantino left the game with a hamate injury in his right hand in the fourth inning.

Pasquantino popped out to begin the frame. But he had a noticeable grimace as he finished his swing at the plate. He ran down to first base clutching his side before immediately heading to the Royals clubhouse.

Pasquantino’s injury resulted in a few defensive changes. Caglianone moved to first base, Thomas went to right field and Collins came in to play left.

Prior to the injury, Pasquantino was 1 for 3. He hit an RBI single in the third inning off Astros starter Mike Burrows.

What’s next?

Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek (3-1, 3.14 ERA) will start on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. He will oppose Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-1, 2.21 ERA) in the series finale. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. Central.