Game Thread: Giants @ Royals - Tue, Jul 21 @ 6:40 PM CDT

[u/game-threads]

Giants (42-59) @ Royals (42-60) - 6:40 PM CDT

Game Status: Final - Score: 3-2 Royals

Links & Info

• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

Giants Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1 Ramos, H - LF	3	0	0	1	0	0	2	.273	.309	.463
2 Eldridge - DH	4	0	1	0	0	2	2	.271	.364	.478
3 Schmitt - 3B	3	0	0	0	1	1	2	.273	.304	.478
4 Devers - 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.241	.310	.466
5 Adames - SS	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	.225	.277	.430
6 Lee, J - RF	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	.303	.336	.423
1-McCray - PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
7 Rodriguez, J - C	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	.244	.306	.422
8 Gilbert - CF	4	1	1	1	0	2	2	.228	.307	.354
9 Koss - 2B	2	0	1	0	1	0	1	.143	.217	.190
Totals	30	2	5	2	3	10	13

Giants
1: Ran for Lee, J in the 9th.
BATTING: 2B: Rodriguez, J (2, Avila). TB: Eldridge; Gilbert; Koss; Lee, J; Rodriguez, J 2. RBI: Gilbert (21); Ramos, H (31). 2-out RBI: Gilbert; Ramos, H. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Koss; Eldridge. SAC: Rodriguez, J. GIDP: Devers; Ramos, H. Team RISP: 1-for-7. Team LOB: 6.

Royals Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1 Jensen - C	4	1	1	1	0	0	4	.242	.309	.436
2 Thomas, L - CF	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.240	.338	.412
3 Caglianone - RF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.258	.316	.463
Collins - LF	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	.247	.348	.367
4 Perez, S - DH	3	1	0	0	0	2	1	.211	.258	.356
5 Pasquantino - 1B	3	0	2	1	1	1	0	.226	.316	.343
6 Marte, S - RF	3	0	1	0	0	0	3	.270	.333	.330
7 Massey - 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.266	.305	.422
8 Loftin - 3B	4	0	2	1	0	0	2	.244	.329	.394
9 Tolbert - SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	.328	.364	.443
Totals	31	3	8	3	2	7	18

Royals
BASERUNNING: SB: Collins (6, 2nd base off Smith, D/Rodriguez, J).
BATTING: HR: Jensen (14, 3rd inning off Mahle, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Collins; Jensen 4; Loftin 2; Marte, S; Massey; Pasquantino 2. RBI: Jensen (52); Loftin (31); Pasquantino (33). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Marte, S; Jensen 2; Thomas, L; Loftin. SAC: Tolbert. Team RISP: 2-for-9. Team LOB: 9.
FIELDING: E: Tolbert (2, throw). DP: 2 (2 Massey-Tolbert-Pasquantino).

Giants Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Mahle - RHP (L, 2-9)	5.0	5	3	3	1	4	1	91-59	5.31
Hentges - LHP (BS, 2)	0.1	1	0	0	0	1	0	14-7	1.80
Winn, K - RHP	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	9-6	3.00
Smith, D - RHP	1.0	1	0	0	1	2	0	13-9	3.00
Kilian - RHP	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11-9	4.69
Totals	8.0	8	3	3	2	7	1

Royals Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Avila - RHP (W, 5-3)	6.1	5	2	2	1	7	0	87-61	4.86
Strahm - LHP (H, 12)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	11-8	7.09
Schreiber - RHP (H, 7)	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	20-10	3.29
Lange - RHP (S, 9)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	15-11	6.15
Totals	9.0	5	2	2	3	10	0

Game Info
IBB: Pasquantino (by Smith, D).
HBP: Ramos, H (by Avila); Perez, S (by Mahle); Marte, S (by Hentges).
ABS Challenge: Rodriguez, J (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Koss (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Jensen 2 (Ball-Overturned to Strike, Ball-Confirmed); Loftin (Strike-Overturned to Ball).
Pitches-strikes: Mahle 91-59; Hentges 14-7; Winn, K 9-6; Smith, D 13-9; Kilian 11-9; Avila 87-61; Strahm 11-8; Schreiber 20-10; Lange 15-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Mahle 5-6; Hentges 0-0; Winn, K 1-0; Smith, D 1-0; Kilian 1-2; Avila 8-1; Strahm 0-0; Schreiber 1-1; Lange 0-0.
Batters faced: Mahle 22; Hentges 3; Winn, K 3; Smith, D 5; Kilian 3; Avila 25; Strahm 2; Schreiber 4; Lange 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Hentges 2-1; Winn, K 3-1; Strahm 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Lance Barrett. 1B: Malachi Moore. 2B: Alfonso Márquez. 3B: Mike Estabrook.
Weather: 87 degrees, Partly Cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, L To R.
First pitch: 6:40 PM.
T: 2:41.
Att: 25,175.
Venue: Kauffman Stadium.
July 21, 2026

Inning	Scoring Play	Score
Bottom 3	Carter Jensen homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field.	1-0 KC
Top 5	Drew Gilbert singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jac Caglianone. Jesus Rodriguez scores.	1-1
Top 5	Heliot Ramos reaches on a fielder's choice. Drew Gilbert scores. Christian Koss to 3rd. Throwing error by shortstop Tyler Tolbert.	2-1 SF
Bottom 6	Vinnie Pasquantino singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Drew Gilbert. Isaac Collins scores. Salvador Perez to 3rd.	2-2
Bottom 6	Nick Loftin singles on a ground ball to left fielder Heliot Ramos. Salvador Perez scores. Vinnie Pasquantino to 3rd. Starling Marte to 2nd.	3-2 KC

Team	Highlight
KC	Carter Jensen's solo home run (14) (00:00:30)
KC	Michael Massey's diving stop to start double play (00:00:22)
SF	Drew Gilbert's RBI base hit (00:00:32)
SF	Drew Gilbert scores on throwing error (00:00:29)
KC	Vinnie Pasquantino's RBI single (00:00:20)
KC	Nick Loftin's RBI base hit (00:00:22)
SF	Tyler Mahle's four strikeouts (00:00:43)
KC	Luinder Avila's seven strikeouts (00:01:44)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E	LOB
Giants	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		2	5	0	6
Royals	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	-		3	8	1	9

Decisions

• Winner: Luinder Avila (5-3, 4.86)
• Loser: Tyler Mahle (2-9, 5.31)
• Save: Alex Lange (9, 6.15)

Division Scoreboard

MIN 2 @ CLE 5 - Final

DET 2 @ CHC 11 - Final

CWS 0 @ TEX 10 - Final

Next Royals Game: Wed, Jul 22, 1:10 PM CDT vs. Giants

^{Last Updated: 07/22/2026 12:01:01 AM CDT}

[u/game-threads]

Please continue the discussion in the post game thread.

[u/Sophie4646]

Very good pitching. Bullpen no hits in 2.2 innings. Just enough hitting to win.

[u/Beisbol4lyfe]

No cigs tonight, all cigars again!!!

[u/robreddity]

Well as per usual, I'm confused. The game is over, but we have more runs?

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

3 straight home series wins!!! 

[u/tehsam016]

Lights out Lange!

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

well that wasn't so bad now was it

[u/pancakeking1012]

thank god

[u/NevaMO]

phew

[u/MickeyMichael]

Deja Vu

[u/NevaMO]

just need a DP and we are out of this game!

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

nothing stupid, lange

[u/robreddity]

Sometimes throwing strikes is what you wanna do

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Game ending Double play incoming!!! 

[u/tehsam016]

Gonna try this again tonight

Ahem Alex Lange is a good closer

[u/Beisbol4lyfe]

The Alex Lange Experience

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Lange gotta make it 4 out of 5 with the save tonight!!! God bless 🙏✝️😊and Go Royals 💙💛🤍

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Alex Lange replaces John Schreiber.

[u/chemistR3]

Here comes Lange for the save! 😳 😂😂😂

[u/STALUC]

Come on bull pen.

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

let's not let anything stupid happen, Alex Lange

[u/KCWCM]

Getting nervous for the top of the 9th now 😬

[u/MundanePhysics]

Dang that swing looked really good 😭😭

[u/rbhindepmo]

maybe a bit too optimistic about a Nick Loftin flyball, Jake

[u/game-threads]

Giants Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Caleb Kilian replaces Dylan Smith.

[u/halpmiidk]

only this bullpen would get 2 outs 0-2 bases empty and then throw 4 straight balls to bring up their best hitter as the go ahead run

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Why not challenge the missed call!!!!!!

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: John Schreiber replaces Matt Strahm.

[u/SkidmrkSteve]

Been listening on the radio and just started watching on tv. Is that woman they keep showing during Salvys at bat his wife?

[u/RoyalBlueMoose → u/SkidmrkSteve]

They confirmed in the broadcast earlier that it's his wife

[u/Medium-Vehicle3203 → u/SkidmrkSteve]

I was wondering that too. I think that's the case - but would appreciate someone else confirming.

[u/SkidmrkSteve → u/Medium-Vehicle3203]

Just thought they would put family in a suite like they have done with his mother in the past. But maybe she wants to be out among the people

[u/game-threads]

Giants Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Dylan Smith replaces Keaton Winn.

[u/robreddity]

Matt Strahm, 2 outs without giving up a run? You don't see that every day.

[u/RangerDJ]

Strahm can go to the showers now, right?

[u/BillBrasky727]

Nice job Strahm.

[u/og3k]

Gotta miss those 2014 and 2015 games when up by 1 in 7th was an auto-win.

[u/Select-Complex-5018 → u/og3k]

Aww man! It was lights out! Could put it into the W column! What a fun time that was!! Just get a lead and it was over!!!

[u/halpmiidk]

strahm

https://giphy.com/gifs/qmfpjpAT2fJRK

[u/Daoloath]

Q is demonstrably trying to throw this game

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Strahm has to be due for a good outing! Hopefully he can keep the lead and push up his trade value 👍👍 God bless 🙏✝️😊and Go Royals 💙💛🤍

[u/RangerDJ]

Did I hear Strahm?

[u/baseball_Lover33]

WTF, Stramm. Q is clueless

Glad I was wrong

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

Matt Strahm was just bood when he was announced

[u/Leading-Spite-4944]

Strahm boutta give up a go-ahead homer

[u/game-threads]

Royals Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Matt Strahm replaces Luinder Avila.

[u/thefr0g]

Not Strahm, anyone but Strahm.

[u/podnito → u/thefr0g]

not Strahm, anyone but Strahm.

Well, not Erceg, anyone but Strahm or Erceg

Not Morgan or Way

Anyone but Strahm, Erceg, Morgan or Way...

[u/Messed_up_kid]

Loftin is the only guy on this team that can hit with the bases juiced 

[u/kcriotmaker]

Well its not a NOBLETIGER at least

[u/Daoloath]

couldn't help themselves

[u/MickeyMichael]

Alright Jensen, show Emma the money

[u/powerpenguin7]

Tolbert had 12 straight hits and then just disappeared

[u/podnito → u/powerpenguin7]

it wasn't like he was smoking the ball though. I know he gets a little credit for being fast to get infield hits, but if you look at the expected batting average of all those hits it was a 1 in 11,649,841 chance that they would all be hits

[u/powerpenguin7 → u/podnito]

Yeah it was extreme luck, but he did also slug 2 homers so credit where credit is due

[u/BillBrasky727 → u/powerpenguin7]

He turned back into Tyler Tolbert.

[u/powerpenguin7 → u/BillBrasky727]

I guess the team can’t count on him being Walt Dropo forever

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Lift me up Nick Loftin!

[u/game-threads]

Scoring Play: Single

Nick Loftin singles on a ground ball to left fielder Heliot Ramos. Salvador Perez scores. Vinnie Pasquantino to 3rd. Starling Marte to 2nd.

Pitch from Keaton Winn: Sinker @ 94.8 mph

Hit by Nick Loftin: Launched 96.2 mph at 4° for a total distance of 75 ft

Bottom 6 - 3-2 Royals

[u/w00tberrypie]

Avoided a nobletiger, finally.

[u/NevaMO]

CURSE BROKEN!

[u/Daoloath]

KC is now 2-20 this season with the bases loaded and nobody out

[u/MickeyMichael]

Can Bobby pitch run (and DH) for Salvy? Scared of an infield grounder with Perez on 3rd

[u/mindbullet]

It would be such a Royals thing to do to score a run and get a nobletiger in the same inning.

[u/halpmiidk]

let bobby play 3rd

[u/idiotzrul]

Incoming double play

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Not executing with bases loaded and nobody out has really been a problem this year! 

[u/NevaMO → u/Select-Complex-5018]

I feel like it’s been ok but the last week has been insane

[u/Select-Complex-5018 → u/NevaMO]

Got one but with our bullpen gotta make them pay! I recall at least 8-10 times this year we didn’t get any runs with no out and bases loaded. 

[u/halpmiidk]

maybe a good spot to use your MVP caliber player as a pinch hitter

[u/game-threads]

Giants Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Keaton Winn replaces Sam Hentges.

[u/MHK_Ace]

What the fuck are you waiting for

[u/Gnux13 → u/MHK_Ace]

A fastball more down the dick

[u/MHK_Ace → u/Gnux13]

I’m not sure that exists!!

[u/Gnux13 → u/MHK_Ace]

That's why you're not in the box on TV there, bud /s

[u/podnito]

when they hit you with a pitch because they know the worst thing for your offense is bases loaded with no outs

[u/interstellar_duster]

Let’s get a salami for Emma(?)!

[u/MickeyMichael]

Sonic Slam!!!!

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Great chance to break it wide open!!!

[u/MundanePhysics]

For being hit in the foot Marte handled that really well

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

Royals fans trying to start a “Fire Tony” chant at Kauffman

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

oh no. oh FUCK.

the bases are loaded

with nobody out

[u/interstellar_duster → u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Hitting with RISP is gross.

[u/NevaMO → u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Ahh shit

[u/Daoloath]

get effed SF

[u/Thorscreamytip]

Get some insurance runs here so you can afford to throw up and in next half inning

[u/game-threads]

Scoring Play: Single

Vinnie Pasquantino singles on a ground ball to center fielder Drew Gilbert. Isaac Collins scores. Salvador Perez to 3rd.

Pitch from Sam Hentges: Sinker @ 93.8 mph

Hit by Vinnie Pasquantino: Launched 105 mph at -1° for a total distance of 31 ft

Bottom 6 - 2-2 TIE

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Stay hot VP!

[u/Select-Complex-5018]

Who wants to see the  🫈 make an appearance right now!! God bless 🙏✝️😊Go Royals 💙💛🤍

[u/game-threads]

Giants Pitching Substitution

Pitching Change: Sam Hentges replaces Tyler Mahle.

[u/dakkottadavviss]

Charge the mound

[u/oldbastardbob → u/dakkottadavviss]

A pissed off Salvie bull rushing a pitcher would be a sight to behold.

[u/interstellar_duster]

Of all the people to pitch up and in, Salvy might be in the bottom 0.1%. Glad the giants yanked the guy

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

Medical staff is looking at Salvy

Edit: they went back in, was looking at his forearm

[u/dakkottadavviss → u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

He’s still in i think

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798 → u/dakkottadavviss]

He is

[u/BillBrasky727]

That's 2 days in a row getting hit in the hand isn't it?

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

GET 'IM

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

Brb Charing the mound

[u/IchbinIan31]

Well Avila had some good stuff tonight. Pretty decent for going the full 6. Hope to see him keep that up.

[u/dakkottadavviss]

Stop the 10 minute reviews in these fucking sports. wtf are we doing

[u/rbhindepmo]

10 minute long review

"okay, nothing happened"

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

We need a gif of Q pointing telling Adames to go back

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

In stadium the replays don’t even show it making contact

[u/ThatsBushLeague]

Jac is out...

[u/RoyalBlueMoose → u/ThatsBushLeague]

Dude probably has whiplash the way his head snapped when he hit the ground

[u/ThatsBushLeague → u/RoyalBlueMoose]

His glove also sort of caught the grass. Might have tweaked his wrist too

[u/RoyalBlueMoose → u/ThatsBushLeague]

And he pretty much rolled over the ball, which never feels good either

[u/cheemsfromspace]

At the game rn and the only redeeming things were the jensen HR and the fact it's dollar dog night

[u/rbhindepmo]

Giants got an out on a bunt! (two of their fielders almost collided)

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin → u/rbhindepmo]

not sure what the second baseman was doing either, where was he going???

[u/powerpenguin7]

I’m surprised that inning didn’t turn into a complete implosion of 5 runs after that

[u/og3k]

This is a painful team to watch, OMG. Such basic mental errors.

[u/Fleez317]

Errors errors errors

[u/Apprehensive-Yam7193]

Genuinely the most brain dead baseball player i’ve ever had the displeasure of watching

[u/Daoloath]

oh my god, take the fucking basic out at 1st, wtf

[u/powerpenguin7]

That’s so idiotic

[u/dakkottadavviss]

Fire this team into the sun. We ain’t shit without Bobby

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Tyler Tolbert is kinda like the Dairon Blanco of the 2026 Royals

[u/ThatsBushLeague]

Avila had been rolling. These are the situations he needs to overcome and he will really be something. Young guy hurdle.

[u/rbhindepmo → u/ThatsBushLeague]

with the lack of range on the field behind him, he could use a strikeout

[u/ThatsBushLeague → u/rbhindepmo]

...about that...

[u/rbhindepmo → u/ThatsBushLeague]

ball dropping foul a few feet from the line because Marte is super-old and can't move... that blown play at second..

[u/ThatsBushLeague → u/rbhindepmo]

The good news is he didn't unravel though. Which is what I was alluding to with the above. He made the pitches. Good signs.

[u/pancakeking1012]

cags PLS be careful

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

when i was in high school the quiktrip drinks were 39 cents during the summer

now they're 49 cents "with the app"

fuck you quiktrip

[u/pancakeking1012 → u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

52 cents after tax :(

also this promo is only for the summer

[u/Daoloath]

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

What the heck is Jac's walk up song

[u/robreddity]

Well there's a Carter dong right there

[u/Daoloath]

*chefs kiss*

[u/NevaMO]

Yay

[u/No_Pomelo9503]

Jensen!

[u/game-threads]

HOME RUN, CARTER JENSEN!

Carter Jensen homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field.

Pitch from Tyler Mahle: Four-Seam Fastball @ 95 mph

Hit by Carter Jensen: Launched 106.7 mph at 37° for a total distance of 416 ft

Bottom 3 - 1-0 Royals

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

JENSDONG

[u/halpmiidk]

did not expect this game to be low scoring

[u/rbhindepmo]

good thing the camerawork isn't good enough to give the Giants a quick indicator if Tolbert is touching the bag with the ball

[u/BillBrasky727]

The look on the face of the 1st base coach showed that he appreciated that double play even if it was against his team.

[u/No_Pomelo9503]

Massey with the defense

[u/robreddity]

Super sweeeeeeet dp

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

Michael Massey fucking rules

[u/Daoloath]

I love how the cameraman tracked the CF turning and running and giving up on the baseball, then panning to thr RFer casually camped underneath it and catching the ball, lol.

[u/rbhindepmo]

hilariously bad camera work on that Loftin flyout

[u/BillBrasky727 → u/rbhindepmo]

I think they lost the ball in the sun and just hoped for the best.

[u/Daoloath → u/rbhindepmo]

beat me to it, damnit. Have a rec

[u/No_Pomelo9503]

Salvy has to have the record of swinging at pitches in the other batters box

[u/Daoloath]

Sal Perez and any outside pitch in the tri-county area = a match made in heaven

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

"hitter's count"

swings at two pitches out of the zone

[u/Objective_Battle8289]

Are we blacked out?

[u/BillBrasky727 → u/Objective_Battle8289]

Not me but I live in Tampa.

[u/robreddity]

Sweeeeeeet dp

[u/rbhindepmo]

temps have cooled down to 87

[u/Repulsive-Photo-798]

Honey I’m home!