Royals fall to Mariners 3-2 on July 3, 2025, despite a strong start from Angel Zerpa and 2 RBIs from Salvador Perez. Why can't KC's offense score?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a story Royals fans have seen too many times this season. Solid starting pitching, a couple of timely hits from a veteran leader, and a late-game chance to win... only to fall just short. Wednesday night's 3-2 loss in Seattle felt like a microcosm of the entire first half, a frustrating reminder that for all the team's potential, the offense continues to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
The Royals have been shut out 10 times this season, accounting for over 23% of their losses.
The game itself played out like a classic pitcher's duel. Angel Zerpa was masterful for six innings, allowing just one earned run and keeping the Royals right in it. Salvador Perez, as he so often does, provided the offense, driving in both of Kansas City's runs with clutch singles. Bobby Witt Jr. was a pest on the basepaths, scoring both times. But a go-ahead RBI single from Seattle's Julio Rodriguez in the seventh inning was all it took to seal the Royals' fate. Despite a ninth-inning threat, the tying run was left stranded, dropping Zerpa to a tough-luck 3-1 record and leaving the team to ponder what could have been.
This single loss highlights a much larger, season-long trend. As the Royals pass the midpoint of the 2025 campaign, their offensive struggles are the defining narrative. The team has been shut out a staggering 10 times, a statistic that underscores their inability to provide consistent run support. While management points to underlying metrics that suggest a turnaround is possible, the on-field results have yet to match that optimism. The pressure is mounting to find a spark and prevent more well-pitched games from ending up in the loss column.
Amid the offensive gloom, rookie Jac Caglianone continues to be a compelling watch. The 2024 first-round pick, who rocketed through the minors before his June 3rd call-up, is learning on the job against MLB pitching. Every powerful swing offers a glimpse of the future firepower the team desperately needs. The farm system provides other reasons for optimism, with the High-A Quad Cities pitching staff, led by Drew Beam and Felix Arronde, dominating their league. However, the system isn't without its own frustrations, as top catching prospect Blake Mitchell remains sidelined by a hamate injury, a reminder of how quickly development can be derailed.
All eyes now turn to the series finale today. With staff ace Seth Lugo (5-5, 2.74 ERA) taking the mound, the Royals have their best shot to salvage a win in Seattle and head home on a positive note. But as this season has proven time and again, a great pitching performance is only half the battle. The question remains the same as it has all year: will the bats show up to support him?
