Royals defeat Rangers in series finale

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 19, 2025

Published in Baseball

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The Kansas City Royals needed some positive momentum.

After a winless homestand, there were rumors circulating around the team’s direction. And a players only meeting didn’t help soothe those concerns.

Were the Royals underperforming? The answer was a clear yes.

Can they overcome it? That much is still up for debate.

This week, the Royals took a major step forward with a 4-1 series win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Thursday. All the elements from the 2024 postseason run were evident throughout all three games.

The offense scored runs with power. The pitching staff tossed quality innings and there was clean defense around the horn. It was a complete team effort that helped get the Royals off the proverbial deck.

Here are key takeaways from the series:

Caglianone homers twice in finale win

It was a special day for Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone. He hit his first career home run as the Royals swept the Rangers at Globe Life Field. And then ... he hit another.

Caglianone waited 13 games to circle the bases. After a restful off day on Wednesday, Caglianone didn’t need much time to make his 14th career game memorable.

In the second inning, he belted a fastball into the Rangers bullpen. Later, Caglianone belted his second career home run — this time off lefty Robert Garcia — as the Royals held on to win in Thursday’s finale.

Caglianone is the fourth Royals player ever to hit his first two career home runs in the same game.

Kansas City continued to find its power stroke. Vinnie Pasquantino also homered to give the Royals an early two-run lead.

The Royals pitching staff did the rest.

Michael Wacha shined across six innings and the bullpen did its job late as Carlos Estévez earned his 21st save to lead all American League relievers. The Royals (37-38) swept the Rangers for the first time since Sept. 1-3, 2014.

It’s also their first sweep in Arlington in nearly 22 years (July 11-13, 2003).

Wacha flirts with no-hitter

Six days ago, Wacha was a little dejected as he walked off the mound at Kauffman Stadium.

It wasn’t his best start against the Athletics. He allowed five earned runs in the Royals’ 6-4 loss at home.

“I wanted more than anything to get back in that win column today, and I feel like I let the team down,” Wacha said after that start.

Things were different against the Rangers. Wacha was the early aggressor as he attacked the strike zone with his two fastballs and changeup. The mix kept the Rangers guessing as Wacha racked up five strikeouts.

He utilized a three-run advantage to his favor. Although the Rangers made him work in the sixth inning, Wacha was efficient and picked up his seventh quality start.

Wacha earned his fourth win as he currently sports a 3.24 ERA.

Ragans update

The Royals got good news regarding their All-Star ace. Ragans, who is nursing a left rotator cuff strain, will not need surgery after getting a second opinion.

Ragans will be sidelined for a short period before working his way back into the rotation.

“He’s going to be shut down four weeks from when he stopped throwing previously,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And at that point, he will be reevaluated. No surgeries, no injections, just rest.”

The Royals are hopeful Ragans returns for the stretch run. His presence elevates a starting rotation that has been solid this season. Royals starters own a 3.39 combined ERA, which ranked fourth in the majors prior to Thursday’s action.

Ragans posted a 2-3 record with a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts. He also dealt with a left groin strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list earlier this season.

Next on the Royals' schedule

The Royals begin a weekend series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Friday night. It will be the club’s first trip to San Diego since May 15-17 in 2023.

Kansas City won two of three games in that series. Coincidentally, the Royals faced both Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo as opposing pitchers. Both joined the Royals during the 2024 offseason.

Lugo is set to pitch in the series finale Sunday. Michael Lorenzen will start in Friday’s opener and top rookie Noah Cameron will pitch on Saturday.

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