Royals Recap
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: Kansas City Royals daily updates. If they played a game yesterday give me the highlights.
Transcript
Welcome to another episode of Big Dill Sports. I'm your host, Dillon, bringing you the Royals Recap. Let's dive into the action-packed update from Kansas City, where Thursday offered a breather after a thrilling 1–0 victory on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.
It was a classic pitchers' duel at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals and Braves stayed scoreless through nine innings. In the tenth, MJ Melendez, acting as the extra-innings runner, sprinted home thanks to Salvador Perez’s walk-off single. That was only the third hit of the night for the Royals, but it was all they needed.
Kansas City's bullpen was a masterclass in pitching. Nine pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout, striking out ten and allowing just one baserunner past first base. Notably, Sam Long navigated a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the tenth, striking out two and earning the win. His recent improvement is evident, showing resilience after battling some elbow issues this spring.
And speaking of standouts, Salvador Perez was the night's hero once again, delivering his league-leading seventh walk-off hit this season. His consistency at the plate is undeniable, entering play with solid stats and making a significant impact just when the Royals need it.
MJ Melendez also deserves a nod. His speed and baserunning instincts paid off as he scored the decisive run, showcasing why he's a vital asset late in games.
Another highlight was Joey Wentz from the Braves, a Kansas City native, who delivered 6⅔ dominant innings, proving tough to beat with seven strikeouts. But alas, it wasn’t enough against the Royals’ determination.
Kansas City’s victory marked their seventh win in the last ten games, positioning them firmly in the playoff race. Sitting at 52-54, they’re within striking distance in the AL Central and the wild-card standings, thanks largely to their robust pitching staff, which boasts a 3.45 ERA.
The trade deadline added to the excitement as Kansas City traded catcher Freddy Fermin to the San Diego Padres for pitchers Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert. This move bolsters the Royals' pitching depth, a strategic play as they eye October baseball.
Friday, August 1, marks a fresh start after the off-day, as the Royals face a weekend series at Kauffman. They’re ready to build on their recent momentum and tighten their hold in the wild-card chase.
Now, it’s time for our "Big Dill" player of the episode, and today, that honor goes to Salvador Perez. His clutch performances and unwavering presence make him a real game-changer for the Royals this season.
That's all for today's Royals Recap on Big Dill Sports. Thanks for joining me, Dillon. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s keep rooting for those Royals as they push toward a thrilling finish this season. Catch you next time!
### Friday, July 31: Kansas City Royals Daily Update
**Off Day Context**
The Royals were off on Thursday, July 31, following Wednesday’s extra-innings victory over the Atlanta Braves. Their most recent contest—a 1–0 win in 10 innings—came at Kauffman Stadium on July 30. Below are the highlights, key performances, and Thursday’s trade-deadline activity affecting the club. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mlb-roundup-9-royals-pitchers-blank-braves-2025-07-31/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
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### Game Recap: Royals 1, Braves 0 (July 30)
• In a classic pitchers’ duel, Kansas City edged Atlanta 1–0 in the 10th inning. With the game scoreless through nine, MJ Melendez entered as the extra-innings runner at second and scored on Salvador Perez’s walk-off single—only the Royals’ third hit of the night—off Braves reliever Daybel Hernández. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
• The lone baserunner in scoring position, Melendez had reached on an infield hit and advanced on a groundout before Perez delivered the decisive RBI single into right field. ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
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### Pitching Dominance
• Kansas City employed a bullpen game, deploying nine pitchers who combined for a five-hit shutout—its ninth of the season. The staff struck out 10 across 10 innings while allowing only one baserunner past first. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mlb-roundup-9-royals-pitchers-blank-braves-2025-07-31/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
• Angel Zerpa opened with 1⅓ scoreless innings. In the 10th, Sam Long (1–2) navigated a bases-loaded, no-out jam, striking out two and earning the win. Long’s scoreless inning highlighted his recent improvement after spring elbow inflammation slowed him earlier this year; through July 30, he has appeared in 20 games with a 7.40 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/royals/player/sam-long-669674?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
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### Key Performers
• **Salvador Perez (C/DH):** Delivered his league-leading seventh walk-off hit in extra innings this season and his third as a Royal. Perez has remained a steady offensive force, entering play with a .271/.330/.456 line in 2024 and two homers in June 2025 alone. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Perez?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
• **MJ Melendez (C):** Pinch-run role paid dividends as he scored the decisive run in the 10th. Melendez has scored in four of the last five games, showcasing his speed and baserunning instincts late in games. ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
• **Braves Starter Joey Wentz:** A Kansas City native, Wentz was dominant through 6⅔ shutout innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and striking out seven before turning the game over to the bullpen. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/royals-use-9-pitchers-shut-out-braves-10-inning-win-2025-07-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
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### Team Context & Wild Card Race
• Wednesday’s win was Kansas City’s seventh in its last ten games, signaling momentum as the trade deadline passed.
• As of July 28, the Royals stood 52–54 and in third place in the AL Central, four games behind the division leader, with an eye on a wildcard berth. Their 3.45 staff ERA ranks second in the division, highlighting pitching as the team’s strength. ([clutchpoints.com](https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-royals-keeping-rhp-seth-lugo-with-2-year-46m-extension-2025-07-28/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
• With balanced contributions from the bullpen and a suddenly opportunistic lineup, Kansas City has trimmed its deficit in the wild-card standings to within striking distance.
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### Trade-Deadline Transaction
On Thursday, July 31, the Royals completed a key deadline deal:
• **Traded:** C Freddy Fermin to the San Diego Padres
• **Received:** RHP Stephen Kolek and RHP Ryan Bergert ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/report-padres-get-royals-c-freddy-fermin-two-pitchers-2025-07-31/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7a7d771f58aad301d7e0953fc0eb919d?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Freddy Fermin (career Royal since 2022) hit .255 with 3 homers and 12 RBIs in 67 games this season. Stephen Kolek (28) transitions to a relief role after a 4–5 mark and 4.18 ERA in 14 starts, while rookie Bergert (25) anchors the minors-to-MLB pipeline with a 2.78 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 35⅔ innings. This swap shored up Kansas City’s pitching depth as they push for October.
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### What’s Next
• After an off-day on July 31, the Royals return to action Friday, August 1. They’ll open a weekend series at Kauffman Stadium, aiming to build on their extra-innings heroics and bolster their wild-card position in the American League.
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**Summary:** Thursday’s off-day capped a whirlwind of on-field drama and front-office maneuvering. Wednesday’s nine-pitcher shutout win showcased the Royals’ bullpen prowess and clutch hitting from Salvador Perez. Meanwhile, the Freddy Fermin trade underscores Kansas City’s commitment to strengthening its staff for the stretch run. With the trade deadline now closed, the Royals enter August armed with renewed pitching depth and a tightened window in the AL playoff race.
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