KANSAS CITY -- Adley Rutschman came off the injured list on Tuesday and walked right into the spotlight.
With the Orioles trailing the Royals by a run in the top of the eighth inning, Rutschman said hello with a bang. The Baltimore catcher, returning from an absence caused by left ankle inflammation, blasted a two-run homer off Matt Strahm for an emphatic “Welcome Back” message.
But just when it seemed like the O’s were going to pull off another late-inning comeback win courtesy of Rutschman, the Royals were able to rally back for a 6-5 walk-off victory at Kauffman Stadium. Needing six more outs after Rutschman’s dramatic blow, Rico Garcia came out of the bullpen in the eighth and Kansas City quickly showed Garcia that nobody’s perfect.
Michael Massey greeted the reliever with a towering homer to right field, marking the first hit that Garcia has allowed all year. Then, the Royals won it in the ninth when a wild pitch by Ryan Helsley -- the fourth of the game for the Orioles -- allowed the winning run to score.
On Monday, the O’s pulled out a tight game with late-inning heroics. On Tuesday, the Royals returned the favor and snapped an eight-game losing streak in the process.
“Great night for Rutsch,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. “Big blow and it was awesome to see. It was great to have him back in the lineup.”
The Orioles had to like their chances after Rutschman’s go-ahead homer, with Garcia and Helsley available in the high-leverage reliever roles.
Garcia had not allowed a hit through 11 appearances this season, when Massey connected. It was the longest active stretch in the Major Leagues. By recording 33 outs without giving up a hit, Garcia tied Yennier Cano for the longest streak to begin a season in franchise history.
“Just one pitch,” Albernaz said. “He left a split hanging and Massey didn’t miss it. Just one mistake.”
Although the end result wasn’t what Rutschman wanted, he left Kauffman Stadium feeling confident that brighter days are ahead.
“It was awesome to be back,” Rutschman said. “I love playing with this group of guys. Felt good today. Felt good in the box.”
In the ninth, with Salvador Perez in the box and Maikel Garcia at third representing the winning run, Helsley’s pitch bounced away from Rutschman, allowing Garcia to slide across the plate.
“Obviously, that last pitch, got to keep it in front,” Rutschman said. “Keep it close and give Helsley a chance to get out of it.”
The Orioles (11-13) have had a tough time producing early offense this season, but Coby Mayo altered that script with a three-run homer in the second to give right-hander Shane Baz a 3-0 lead. The Royals, who stranded 16 runners in Monday’s series opener, pecked away with the aid of some free bases.
On three occasions, the Royals were able to advance runners from second to third with less than two outs and without the aid of a hit. Two wild pitches and a steal of third put Kansas City in position to cash in with a sacrifice fly three times.
“Gave up a couple of free bases with wild pitches,” Baz said. “That kind of bothers you.”