Royals Recap

Welcome to another episode of Big Dill Sports. I'm your host, Dillon, and this is "Royals Recap," where we dive deep into the latest Kansas City Royals game action. Today, we're breaking down the Royals' Monday night matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.

Let's get into it. The Royals took on the Reds on May 26, 2025, and what a game it was! It ended with the Reds coming out on top, 7 to 4. Right from the start, the Reds were firing. TJ Friedl got things rolling with a leadoff double in the first. Austin Hays helped capitalize on that with a sacrifice fly, putting the Reds on the scoreboard early.

The third inning saw Cincinnati go on a bit of a hitting spree. With five singles, including RBI contributions from Gavin Lux and Tyler Stephenson, the Reds stretched their lead to 4-0. Will Benson's sacrifice fly really piled on the pressure for the Royals. Tyler Stephenson wasn't done making headlines; in the fifth, he launched a two-run homer, his second of the season. That pushed the Reds to a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Royals, not ones to go quietly, made their move in the seventh inning. Salvador Perez stepped up and crushed a two-run homer right out of the park, making a dent in the Reds' lead. Nick Loftin then added a sacrifice fly, bringing the Royals closer at 6-3.

The Reds, however, weren't finished. They added an insurance run in the eighth, making sure they stayed out of reach. In the ninth, the Royals tried to rally, adding one more to their tally, but it just wasn't enough to topple the Reds.

Zooming in on some standout performances: For the Royals, Michael Lorenzen, although taking the loss, showed grit on the mound. Vinnie Pasquantino maintained his hot streak, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Kudos to Maikel Garcia as well, who now boasts an 11-game hitting streak. And, of course, Salvador Perez's two-run homer was a highlight, marking the first time Reds' pitcher Nick Martinez allowed a home run in 42 2/3 innings.

Speaking of Nick Martinez, he had an impressive outing for the Reds. Earning the win, he pitched seven strong innings, allowing just three runs while keeping his walks to a minimum. This marks his sixth consecutive quality start—a testament to his current form. Tyler Stephenson, undoubtedly the star of the show, logged three hits, including that game-changing homer, and drove in three runs.

TJ Friedl was also instrumental, connecting with that crucial leadoff double to set the stage for the Reds' offensive fireworks. In total, the Reds tallied 14 hits, reinforcing why they lead the majors with 46 first-inning runs. They've got a knack for jumping out ahead early, having outscored opponents 46-21 in the first inning alone.

This game marks a tough stretch for the Royals, who've lost three of their last four. Meanwhile, the Reds are riding high, discovering fresh momentum with players like Elly De La Cruz serving as a designated hitter, and Garrett Hampson making his debut start at shortstop.

Now, it's time for our favorite part of the show, the 'Big Dill' of the episode. This night's honor goes to Tyler Stephenson. With his multi-hit performance and pivotal two-run homer, he was undeniably a big deal in securing the Reds' victory.

So, that's a wrap on today's Royals Recap. Stay tuned for more updates and breakdowns here on Big Dill Sports. Until next time, keep cheering, keep hoping, and let's see what the Royals bring to the field next! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to join us for the next edition of Big Dill Sports.