Dobnak, grateful to be in Majors again, spins stellar outing in relief

NEW YORK -- It was a bullpen game for the Royals on Wednesday night as they faced the Mets at Citi Field.

It started with right-hander Steven Cruz, who allowed a first-inning homer to A.J. Ewing. An inning later, right-hander Randy Dobnak entered the game, became the bulk guy and didn’t allow a run over his stellar 5 2/3 innings.

It was the longest relief appearance by a member of the Royals since Daniel Lynch IV threw 6 2/3 innings on June 12, 2024, against the Yankees, and the longest scoreless relief outing since Mike Mayers went six innings without allowing a run on May 29, 2023, vs. the Cardinals. Dobnak was handed a no-decision as the Royals lost the game, 6-2.

The score was tied, 1-1, when the Mets scored five unanswered runs against right-hander Alex Lange in the eighth. Lange was able to retire Juan Soto and Bo Bichette to start the frame, but suddenly, Lange couldn’t retire the next five hitters he faced.

After Francisco Lindor singled and Carson Benge reached first on a walk, Jorge Polanco hit a slow roller to first baseman Jac Caglianone, who grabbed the ball and made a poor throw to Lange. All runners were safe and the bases were loaded. Jared Young was the next hitter and he was hit by a pitch, allowing Lindor to score the go-ahead run. Brett Baty followed and drove in two more runs with a single before Young came home on a wild pitch by Jose Cuas.

“It’s on me,” Lange said. “When you have guys go out there and grind their [butts] off for eight innings and you go out there and do that, it’s tough.”

Asked how he was going to flush Wednesday’s game and be ready for his next outing, Lange said, “I’m going to go home and get some sleep and be there when my name is called.”

Dobnak has been in the Royals' organization since June 17, when the team acquired him from the Mariners. After spending time at Triple-A Omaha as a starter, Dobnak joined the big league club on July 2 as a reliever, allowing two runs on six hits (one homer) in four innings to the Rays.

Dobnak didn’t see any more action until Wednesday, and when he did he was dealing. The only time he got into trouble was in the third inning. After getting two quick outs, Dobnak walked Soto and allowed a single to Bichette. Lindor came to the plate and hit a fly ball to deep right field. Dobnak thought Lindor went yard, but outfielder Tyler Tolbert made a nice leaping catch to end the frame.

“To turn around and see [Tolbert] make that sick play -- a lot of emotions on that play,” Dobnak said. “[I said], 'Oh, [bleep],' and some other words.”

After the great catch, Dobnak went on to retire 11 of the next 14 hitters he faced.

“What he did today was a really good outing,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He throws a ton of strikes. He keeps the ball on the ground. He doesn’t beat himself. He is going to challenge hitters and keep you in the game.”

By the sound of his voice, Dobnak appears grateful that he is back in the big leagues. He first made a name for himself with the Twins back in 2019. Remember, the Twins discovered him while he was playing for the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League. Dobnak made an immediate impact in Minnesota, helping the Twins reach the postseason that year. But he struggled in the organization from 2020-25 because of injuries and inconsistencies.

Dobnak then became a free agent and signed with the Mariners after the ‘25 season. He never played a big league game for Seattle. Then, he was dealt to Kansas City.

“Every day I wake up and I’m given an opportunity to play baseball, I’m grateful for that. I’m just happy to be here. Any opportunity I get, I want to take full advantage,” Dobnak said. “Growing up, I’ve been loving the game of baseball. At the end of the year, I want to give myself an opportunity for next year. I love this game and want to keep playing.”