Loftin Gives Royals Walk-Off Victory

6/2/24, 9:37 PM Loftin Gives Royals Walk-Off Victory Over Padres | The Epoch Times
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Loftin Gives Royals Walk-Off Victory

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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the San
Diego Padres in Kansas City, Mo., on June 2, 2024. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
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By The Associated Press
6/2/2024 Updated: 6/2/2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Nick Loftin hit a walk-off sacrifice fly, Nelson

Velázquez drove in two runs, and the Kansas City Royals defeated the
https://www.theepochtimes.com/sports/nick-loftin-lifts-royals-over-padres-in-a-4-3-walk-off-win-5661320 1/5
San Diego Padres 4–3 on Sunday.
Loftin’s sacrifice fly came after Velázquez pinch hit and delivered a
game-tying, two-run triple with no outs in the ninth. Velázquez
finished the series with four RBIs.
“It is a huge win. We had to battle all weekend against a good team,”
Loftin said. “It is big to get this win before we go into a big series this
week. In that last at-bat, I just wanted to get a pitch up, something I
could handle. I got a pitch up, and I was able to do enough.”
The Padres won the series, but Kansas City avoided the sweep. The
Royals have not been swept this season and ended a three-game skid.
Cole Ragans allowed one run on five hits in six innings with six
strikeouts and two walks. It was the ninth time this season Ragans
had six or more strikeouts in an outing. Will Klein (1–0) earned his
first-career win with a scoreless ninth inning.
“It felt great. I thought I commanded my stuff today,” Ragans said. “I

don’t think I changed anything. Just sticking to the process and going
out there and executing. That is the biggest thing. In late innings, we
put together good at-bats. These guys are relentless. It is so fun to
watch and be a part of.”
Vinnie Pasquantino hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth to give Kansas City
a 1–0 lead. It was his fifth RBI of the series.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit an RBI single in the eighth to give the Padres a 2–
1 lead. Manny Machado followed with an RBI single. This season, San
Diego has scored 121 runs in the eighth inning, more than any other
inning. Luis Arraez tied the game with an RBI single in the fifth.
Michael King pitched seven innings of one-run ball on four hits, with
four strikeouts and two walks. It was the fourth time this year that
King had pitched seven or more innings. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos
tossed a scoreless eighth. Yuki Matsui (3–1) was tagged with the loss.
“That’s a good team. Let’s not kid ourselves,” San Diego Manager Mike
Shildt said. “They do a heck of a job, and it was a good series, and
credit to them for Friday night’s comeback because they compromised
[our] bullpen. They got us at the end today.”
Hits, Hits, Hits

The series featured the hit leaders in the National and American
leagues. Arraez recorded six hits in the series, extending an eight-
game hitting streak. Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. had five hits in the
series. Arraez leads the majors in the category.
Roster Moves
Royals: Right-hander Michael Wacha (left-foot fracture) was placed on
the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 1. Wacha was struck by a
comebacker on the fourth pitch of his start on Friday night. He stayed
in the game and pitched 5 1/3 innings. Daniel Lynch IV was recalled
from Triple-A Omaha, Neb., in a corresponding move.
Trainer’s Room
Royals: Kyle Isbel (head, neck) left the game in the fifth inning after a
collision with Witt in centerfield. Isbel exited in the seventh inning on
May 24 after fouling a ball off his face.
Padres: Arraez left the game in the sixth inning after getting called out
following a headfirst slide into second on an RBI single to end the
inning. He was looked at by trainers in the middle of the inning but
stayed in before being replaced in the next inning.
“He jammed his shoulder on that play at second base, and a little bit of
his neck,“ Mr. Shildt said. ”Nothing looks overly serious. Just a
precaution to take him out. Things are as positive as they can be right
after the game.”

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6/2/24, 9:37 PM Loftin Gives Royals Walk-Off Victory Over Padres | The Epoch Times

Loftin Gives Royals Walk-Off Victory

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Nick Loftin hit a walk-off sacrifice fly, Nelson

San Diego Padres 4–3 on Sunday.

“It felt great. I thought I commanded my stuff today,” Ragans said. “I

Hits, Hits, Hits

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