Royals avoid getting no-hit, but Guardians' big 4th sets up rout in series opener

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Sep 8, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CLEVELAND — Rookie pitcher Ryan Bergert has made a strong impression with the Kansas City Royals since arriving from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline.

It wasn’t his night on Monday, however.

Bergert was chased early as the Royals lost 10-2 to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. He allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings, including six in the fourth. It was the worst start of his young career, by a considerable margin.

Bergert had previously allowed three runs or fewer in each of his 13 major-league starts. He’d also never allowed more than six hits in any of those outings. Those sterling numbers helped Bergert earn Royals pitcher of the month honors for August.

He entered Monday’s series opener in Cleveland with a 2.43 ERA in 33 1/3 innings with the Royals. But the Guardians were aggressive early and Bergert allowed five RBI doubles in Monday’s start.

Designated hitter Kyle Manzardo gave the Guardians a quick lead in the first inning and Cleveland added another run in the third. Then came the explosive fourth: Cleveland’s lineup batted around, with C.J. Kayfus, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann and Nolan Jones each recording RBI doubles.

Bergert had problems with his command. He missed over the plate, walking three while throwing 51 of 77 pitches for strikes. Cleveland’s seven total doubles were a single-game season high.

The Royals didn’t offer Bergert any run support. Guardians starter Slade Cecconi didn’t allow a hit through seven innings. The Royals made a lot of weak contact, which resulted in a mix of groundouts.

In the eighth inning, Royals second baseman Michael Massey broke up the no-hit bid with a single into center field. He was one of just three baserunners for Kansas City — rookies Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen were the others — against Cecconi.

Jensen worked two walks while Caglianone continued to showcase an improved approach at the plate with a walk of his own. He also singled in the Royals’ only runs in the ninth.

Cecconi earned his sixth victory. He pitched eight innings, surrendering the lone hit alongside three walks and three strikeouts. It was his second-longest start of the season.

Managing just three hits all evening, the Royals dropped to 73-71. The Guardians (73-70) also overtook Kansas City in the American League wild-card race.

At the end of their game, the Royals were 2 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third and final postseason spot. The Mariners played host to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Bobby Witt Jr. update

The Royals could get their All-Star shortstop back soon. On Monday, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Bobby Witt Jr. is progressing well after dealing with back spasms.

Witt has missed the last three games.

“Much improved today,” Quatraro said before Monday’s game. “Muscles are starting to relax a little bit. He was able to come out here and run at pretty much 100%. He did some throwing and did some glove work on the side. You know, we are going to see how he feels as the day progresses.”

Witt had a promising MRI a few days ago. The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action.

What’s next

The Royals continue their four-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday night. Rookie left-hander Noah Cameron (7-6, 3.03 ERA) will pitch for Kansas City opposite Guardians lefty Joey Cantillo (4-3, 3.73 ERA). First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m. Central Time at Progressive Field.

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