Royals Recap

Welcome to another episode of Big Dill Sports! I'm your host Dillon, here to give you the lowdown on all things Kansas City Royals. Today, we're diving into the game against the Detroit Tigers on June 1, 2025. So grab your peanuts and crackerjacks as we break it down, play by play, inning by inning.

Alright, folks, let's talk numbers. The Royals faced off against the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium and, unfortunately, ended on the losing side of a tight match. The Tigers snatched a 1-0 victory, taking two out of the three games in the series. This brings the Royals to a season record of 31-29—not too shabby, but I'm sure they're looking to bounce back!

Now let's relive the game's crucial moments. The scoreboard remained stagnant, save for one pivotal move in the third inning. Detroit's Zach McKinstry started with a leadoff triple and scored on a wild pitch aimed by our man Kris Bubic. The Tigers' minimal lead remained unchallenged, credit to a pair of formidable pitching duels. The Royals managed nine hits but, unfortunately, left eight runners stranded.

Speaking of Bubic, let's spotlight some player performances. Despite the tough loss, Kris Bubic really brought his A-game. He pitched a solid 7.0 innings, allowing just that one earned run. With only four hits and two walks against him, he tied his career high with nine strikeouts. While this pushes his record to 5-3, he maintains a spectacular 1.43 ERA.

Salvador Perez has been lighting up the diamond, accounting for three of those nine hits. He’s been anchoring the Royals' lineup as both catcher and designated hitter—talk about versatility!

Meanwhile, you might have noticed that Maikel Garcia was missing in action. Unfortunately, he was scratched from the starting lineup due to some right thumb soreness. We hope he recovers quickly because his .316 average definitely makes a difference in the lineup.

On the Tigers' side, we saw Chase Lee pick up the win, painting a picture of how to play out of the bullpen. Lee has been impressive with a 1.15 ERA. And don’t forget Will Vest, who nailed his ninth save, shutting down the ninth with real flair.

Let’s not gloss over Keider Montero, who started strong, keeping the Royals at bay through 4 and 2/3 innings. Riley Greene chipped in with two of the Tigers’ five hits, keeping them on top.

Now, here’s a quick glance at the season stats: Bobby Witt Jr. leads with 31 RBIs, sharing the spotlight with Vinnie Pasquantino. Each sports eight home runs, with Pasquantino on a two-game hitting streak moving into this matchup.

And just for you hardcore fans, a minor league update from our Royals affiliates! Carter Jensen went yard with a solo home run, and Cole Ragans clocked an impressive six strikeouts. The Omaha Storm Chasers are kickstarting "Chasers Community Nights" at Werner Park, sure to be a family favorite.

Before we wrap up, it's time for my favorite segment... who’s the "Big Dill" of the game? Today, it’s got to be Kris Bubic. He showed resilience, stamina, and precision, keeping us close in a nail-biter of a game. Bubic, you’re truly a big dill today!

That’s it for this episode. Thanks for tuning into Big Dill Sports, where we keep you looped into the royal affair of baseball. Catch us next time, and until then, stay passionate, stay loyal, and—most importantly—stay royal. Keep rooting for those Royals!