Six-Run Blitz Lifts Royals Over Cardinals in Caglianone’s First MLB Game

June 4, 2025: The Kansas City Royals stormed back from a five-run hole with a six-run fifth inning, capped by clutch hits from Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez, to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10–7 on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. The win marked the MLB debut of top Royals prospect Jac Caglianone, who went 0-for-5 in a much-anticipated first appearance.

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The Royals’ offense exploded in the fifth after Nick Loftin launched his first home run since June 2023, igniting a rally that chased Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who was tagged for a career-high-tying seven runs in 4 1/3 innings. Bobby Witt Jr. hit his seventh home run of the season and drove in three runs, including a two-run single that slashed the Cardinals’ lead to 7–5.

Vinnie Pasquantino delivered the game-tying two-run double off reliever Steven Matz (3–2) before Salvador Perez followed with an RBI single to give the Royals an 8–7 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

On the mound, Kansas City turned to its bullpen early after Michael Lorenzen (3–7) gave up seven runs in just 2 2/3 innings. But five relievers—including Steven Cruz (2–0) and Carlos Estévez, who earned his 17th save—combined for 5 1/3 scoreless frames to shut the door on St. Louis.

A bright moment for the Cardinals came in the third when Alec Burleson crushed a two-run homer to center, capping off a five-run inning. But it wasn’t enough to hold off the Royals’ surge.

One key highlight came in the second inning when Caglianone, making his first MLB plate appearance, nearly tallied his first hit before Victor Scott II raced 92 feet to rob him with a stunning catch at the warning track.

St. Louis had won its last seven games when scoring four or more runs in Pallante’s starts — until now.

Up Next:
The two teams wrap up their series Wednesday night as Royals LHP Noah Cameron (2–1, 1.05 ERA) faces Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (4–2, 3.90 ERA).