Week 25 – September 29th: Royals End Losing Streak and Season with 70-92 Record
We were able to stop our losing streak skid and ended the season with a win against a good Atlanta team to get us to 70 for the season. I’ll take it and go back to KC knowing we ended season on a good note. The plane ride back will be less stressful, and we can take a few days to chill with family and relax at the house. But I’ll have to get things figured out for our off-season development and winter meetings discussions soon so won’t rest too long.
The offer I followed up with Alex Claudio was convincing enough for him to sign on for another year. I gave him a last-minute inning in this game as a mark of the deal, so we’ll see how he gets through the off-season and whether he can help us out next season.
We released a few of the remaining guys that were upcoming free agents and not going to make it onto the secondary roster or that we felt could not develop further and out of options. Our rookie clubs and low A ball performed very well this year, and we think there’s a few prospects who’ll be moving up next year and possibly make the 40 man in a couple. So, we need to clean house a little and give them some room to grow.
Once I return to the Kauffman front office, I’ll hold a review, and we’ll discuss our plan moving forward. We have a few things to fix this off-season, starting with the coaching and training staff.
Game Summary – September 28th – Royals Win, 9-6, at Atlanta
The Kansas City Royals defeated the Atlanta Braves, 9-6, at Truist Park. Leading the charge for Kansas City was right fielder Drew Waters. He went 1-3 with a home run and 3 walks, while scoring 3 runs. Alec Marsh earned the win, improving to 4-4. He held the Braves to 1 run on 5 hits over 5.2 innings, striking out 5 and walking 1. Kansas City is in last place in the American League Central Division with a record of 70-92. Kansas City second baseman Nick Loftin contributed a timely at-bat in the top of the first. With two outs, he hit a slider to center field for a 2-run single. It was his 51st hit of the season and put the Royals ahead, 3-0. "Nice win for us," said Loftin. "Now we'll go after the next one."
GAME NOTES
Player of the Game: Drew Waters
Ballpark: Truist Park
Weather: Partly Cloudy (68 degrees), wind blowing out to left at 10 mph
Start Time: 3:20 PM ET
Time: 4:06
Attendance: 40900