MLB playoffs clinched, KC Royals rest some starters, lose to Braves via walk-off

The Kansas City Royals rested a few of their starters on Saturday night against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Such are the spoils of having already clinched a berth in Major League Baseball’s soon-to-begin postseason. The Royals secured their spot Friday, and are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Sitting Saturday were superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. — his first missed game this season — and fellow lineup regulars Michael Massey (who did enter the game and pinch-hit), Hunter Renfroe and Kyle Isbel.

Royals captain Salvador Perez served as the designated hitter and right-handed starter Seth Lugo pitched two innings against the Braves, who beat KC 2-1 on a walk-off homer by catcher Travis d’Arnaud in the bottom of the ninth.

“We’re trying to win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We went with our high-leverage guys, and you know, it was a really well played game. Unfortunately, they scored the first run on a throwing error that’s really uncharacteristic. But we’ve got to find a way to scratch out a couple of runs there.”

The Royals scored early against Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. Freddy Fermin led off the third inning with a single, then scored when Dairon Blanco grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

Lopez was dynamic across six innings. He allowed two hits and struck out nine. His slider featured prominently, registering 18 swings and 12 whiffs, per Baseball Savant.

“He’s got good stuff, and we know that,” Quatraro said of Lopez. “I mean, you look at his numbers over the course of the season and he is an elite pitcher in this league.”

The Braves manufactured both of their runs. In the fourth inning, former Royal Jorge Soler hit a two-out double and later scored following an errant throw by Royals reliever Michael Lorenzen.

“It’s just a bad play, to be honest,” Lorenzen said. “Yeah, there is a thought, with me going after that ball, with, ‘How much and how fast I can go after it? How much can I give into this leg?’ There is a little bit of that, but it’s just a terrible play on my part.”

The Royals dropped to 85-76, one game behind the Detroit Tigers (86-75) for the second American League wild-card spot.

The Braves improved to 88-71 with the series victory.

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Here are more notable aspects of Saturday’s game:

Vinnie Pasquantino homers in live bullpen session

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino inched a little closer to an expedited return from a right-thumb injury.

On Saturday, Pasquantino faced live pitching at Truist Park. He had a couple of at-bats against Royals relievers Will Smith and Steven Cruz. Smith, who is also looking to return from an IL stint (low-back spasms) turned in a solid performance.

Pasquantino logged a few hits in his at-bats. He blasted a home run against Cruz, with the ball reaching the Chop House over the right-field wall.

As Pasquantino continues to recover, optimism is growing about his availability for the postseason.

“He swung the bat well,” Quatraro said. “Well, you know, as odd as it sounds, it’s a good thing he swung and missed a couple of times. He squared one up and hit another one off the end (of the bat). So, everything we wanted to see was good there.”

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule:

The Royals conclude their regular-season schedule against the Braves on Sunday.

Both teams still have a lot at stake playoff-wise. KC is battling Detroit for playoff seeding. The Royals currently occupy the third spot in the AL wild-card race.

Left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans was initially scheduled to start Sunday’s game for KC, but he’ll instead be held back for the AL Wild Card series that is set to open Tuesday.