Recap the Royals' 4-3 loss to the Cubs on July 22, 2025. Despite a homer from Salvador Perez, a late rally at Wrigley Field wasn't enough. Full game analysis.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of so close, yet so far for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Under the lights at historic Wrigley Field, the team fought back from a deficit only to see their ninth-inning rally fall agonizingly short, dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker to the Chicago Cubs and falling to 49-53 on the season.
We battled until the last out. The guys showed a lot of heart, and we’ll look to bounce back tomorrow.
This one stung. After clawing back to tie the game, the Royals watched the Cubs pull ahead for good in the bottom of the eighth when Michael Busch delivered the go-ahead RBI against reliever Angel Zerpa, who was ultimately tagged with the loss. The Royals didn't go quietly, mounting a threat in the top of the ninth but ultimately leaving the tying run stranded on base as the final out was recorded. It was a frustrating end to a game that felt winnable for long stretches.
Despite the loss, there were significant bright spots in the Royals lineup. Catcher Salvador Perez continued his power display, launching a massive two-run homer in the seventh inning to bring the Royals within one. It was his 17th of the year and his third in the last five games. Meanwhile, the ever-consistent Maikel Garcia stayed hot, collecting two more hits to extend his hitting streak to six games and raise his season average to a stellar .293. Garcia's ability to get on base has been a crucial sparkplug for the offense all season.
Starting pitcher Kris Bubic deserved a better fate. The lefty delivered a strong performance, navigating the Cubs' lineup for six innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out six. Bubic kept the Royals in the game, weathering a storm that included a solo homer from Seiya Suzuki. Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn't hold the line, and the offense couldn't provide that one extra run to reward his solid effort.
Manager Matt Quatraro chose to focus on the positive post-game, praising his team's resilience. His comments reflect a club that, despite a frustrating loss, isn't hanging its head. While the trade front remained quiet for the Royals on Tuesday, the upcoming deadline looms, adding another layer of intrigue to the team's direction. For now, the focus is squarely on the field.
Tonight's loss is a tough pill to swallow, a reminder of the thin margins in baseball. But the fight shown, led by veterans like Perez and rising stars like Garcia, gives fans a reason to stay tuned. The Royals will need to channel that energy and turn it into a victory tomorrow to get back on track and even the series at Wrigley.
