KANSAS CITY -- The 108.9 mph laser of a single that Vinnie Pasquantino hit off the top of the right-field fence was hit so hard that it literally made a dent in the padding, his impact on Wednesday night showing up in more ways than one.
Though inches shy of what would have been Pasquantino’s second homer of the night, that single still got the Royals’ eighth-inning rally started, driving in the first run of what would end up being a seven-run frame and a 9-7 win over the A’s at Kauffman Stadium.
Late-game mayhem has been the Royals’ recipe for success these past two nights following Tuesday’s walk-off win and Wednesday’s comeback victory, with Kansas City making quick work of a struggling A’s bullpen. The Royals have now won four consecutive games, including three against the A’s this week to set up a potential four-game sweep on Thursday.
“We’re going to try to get it done earlier from now on, but it’s always nice when you get a couple late wins like that,” said outfielder John Rave, whose bases-clearing double in the eighth was the biggest hit of that frame. “Energy’s high after the game.”
On Wednesday, Pasquantino was right in the middle of it all with a walk, a homer and two singles. His Statcast-projected 427-foot home run in the sixth inning cut into the Royals’ deficit and was also his 500th career hit, which made him the 39th player to reach that mark with the Royals.
“Even numbers like that are always cool,” Pasquantino said. “I think I’ve played in more than 500 games [Wednesday was No. 506], so it’s a little disappointing in a weird way. Want to be better than that, want to post more.
“... Just want to keep going and try to stack on as many hits as possible and just keep trying to have good at-bats and doing what I do.”
Injuries have nagged Pasquantino throughout his career, and this year was no different, as he fractured his right hamate bone on June 13. He came back less than a month later, an aggressive return that he was determined to make because he felt like he owed it to his teammates and coaches. But he can admit that he didn’t feel 100% when he returned right before the All-Star break, and the fatigue from that injury sidelined him again at the end of July.
Pasquantino returned from the IL on Monday, and he’s looked and felt more like himself. He’s 6-for-12 in his three games back, and his home run on Wednesday night was his first since June 3 at Cincinnati, snapping a streak of 85 homerless at-bats. It was also his first homer at Kauffman Stadium since May 7 against Cleveland.
“It feels nice to be about as close to [100%] as you can possibly be,” Pasquantino said. “There’s definitely a bigger stress relief on the at-bats, knowing I don’t have to put more effort into it than I need to, if that makes sense. It’s less mental energy because it’s less physical energy, because I’m not putting so much stock into making sure it’s ready to go. I know it’s ready to go.”
And there’s no question that when Pasquantino is contributing, the Royals’ lineup looks a lot more like what it’s supposed to and what they imagined it being entering 2026. They’re more balanced, dynamic and challenging for opposing pitchers, Wednesday’s eighth inning showcased that.
Maikel Garcia -- whose impact coming off the IL has also been immediate -- led off with a triple that got past right fielder Lawrence Butler. Pasquantino followed with that liner off the fence, and the rally was on.
Salvador Perez walked, prompting the A’s to bring in lefty Drew Rom. Carter Jensen flied out to center but still moved Pasquantino up to third, and Tyler Tolbert walked. Kyle Isbel singled home a run, Isaac Collins hit a sacrifice fly, Bobby Witt Jr. was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Rave -- who had pinch-hit for Jac Caglianone (right ankle soreness) back in the fifth inning -- cleared the bases with a three-run double.
The Royals will take wins any way they can at this point in the season. It’s even better when contributors up and down the lineup get in on the action.
“Winning is way better than losing, so more fun than I was having,” Pasquantino said. “And it’s nice to contribute, too. Just being able to get some RBIs, kind of do what I feel like I can do. It’s definitely been nicer. But new day tomorrow.”