Royals frustrated after controversial homerun against Guardians

Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans throws to a Cleveland Guardians batter during the third inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals lost 7-2 to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, but it wasn’t without controversy.

With the Royals leading 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning with Cole Ragans (5-6) on the mound with two outs and a 2-2 strike, outfielder Jhonkensy Noel hit a line drive that looked like a foul ball to left field. The hit was ruled a two-run homer and gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead.

The play was then reviewed and the call was surprisingly upheld as it appeared the ball only touched the black net connected to the foul pole. The Royals got the next batter out to end the inning, but that play seemed to have a domino effect.

The Royals did not score for the remainder of the game, Ragans was retired in the next inning and the Guardians scored four more runs.

“I clearly thought it was wrong, I didn’t lose sight of the ball for a moment,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I saw the ball the whole way. Before we even called a replay, I would still go and review it, because it’s a free review.

“To me it was clearly foul, and then when I heard it against the black wire to the left of the post, I don’t quite understand how they can consider that a called stand. Obviously a huge point in the game, definitely frustrated because that’s why we have a replay, to prevent these kinds of things.”

For Ragans it was not his best day on the mound took the blame for the home run instead of mourning the decision. He recorded 4.2 innings with six hits, five runs, one walk, six strikeouts and one loss.

“We all saw the replay, but I can’t do anything about it. It was a really bad pitch, it was left right in the middle. I can’t do anything about it. They called it fair, so just move on,” said Ragans.

Would the Royals have won the game if that goal had been called a foul? Maybe, maybe not.

But against a divisional rival and a team like the Guardians, who sit atop the American League, a change in momentum like Saturday’s could be monumental.

Despite the loss, the Royals have a chance to secure the series win against the Guardians tomorrow when Seth Lugo (10-2) takes the mound against Logan Allen (8-3) at 1:10 p.m.