Cardinals vs Royals Recap: Royals roar to 14-6 win

The St. Louis Cardinals (40-32) traveled to Kansas City looking to bounce back after losing their last game. The Royals (30-45) were hungry for a win at home. You could feel the energy crackling at Kauffman Stadium from the first pitch. Right away, the Cardinals struck first. JJ Wetherholt scored on a fielder's choice when Jordan Walker grounded out in the first inning. Then Ivan Herrera crossed home on a sacrifice fly by Alec Burleson. The Cardinals led 2-0 before the Royals even stepped up to bat. But Kansas City answered instantly. Bobby Witt Jr. smashed a 419-foot home run deep into left-center field. The ball exploded off his bat and silenced the Cardinals dugout. The game was tied 2-1 and the fireworks were just beginning.

The second inning was a nightmare for Cardinals pitching. Matthew Liberatore could not throw strikes. The Royals kept putting balls in play and kept running. Carter Jensen doubled to left field. Isaac Collins doubled next, scoring Jensen and making it 3-2. Then Michael Massey reached on an error by left fielder Nelson Velazquez. Collins scored on that same play. Lane Thomas doubled down the line. Massey sprinted home. Bobby Witt Jr. singled to right, and Thomas raced across the plate. Starling Marte doubled to right, scoring Witt Jr. In just fifteen pitches, five runs crossed home plate. The scoreboard read 2-7. The Royals had taken complete control. Liberatore could not find his command and Kansas City made him pay for every mistake.

The Cardinals fought back in the fourth inning when Jordan Walker singled, scoring one run. St. Louis was down but not out. Then Jac Caglianone crushed a 402-foot home run in the fourth, putting Kansas City up 3-9. Nick Loftin doubled in two more runs, making it 3-11. The Royals kept piling on. Salvador Perez launched a home run to left in the sixth. In the seventh, Jose Fermin singled home a run. Two more Cardinals runs scored on a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice. But it was too little, too late. The Royals added one more in the eighth on a passed ball. Final score: Royals 14, Cardinals 6. Kansas City dominated from the second inning onward. The Cardinals' pitching staff could not stop the bleeding. The Royals celebrated a powerful victory at home.