Royals' bullpen implodes in 6-4 loss to Nationals

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 16, 2026

Published in Baseball

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Kansas City Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch IV has been a breakout star this season.

Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, Lynch owned a 1.80 ERA in 30 relief appearances. He limited opponents to a .167 batting average and had issued one hit in his last five outings.

In the seventh inning, Lynch got the call out of the bullpen. With the game tied 3-3, Lynch was tasked with recording a scoreless inning.

However, he didn’t get the job done. The Nationals scored three go-ahead runs and regained the lead behind their offense.

Lynch didn’t have his best command. He walked two batters before Nationals infielder Curtis Mead belted a three-run homer. Mead hit an 88 mph slider left over the plate for his 11th home run of the year.

The Nationals (39-35) wouldn’t look back. In the late innings, the Royals failed to respond in the 6-4 loss at Nationals Park.

Kansas City (29-45) dropped their 15th series this season. The Royals have lost six of their last seven games.

The club will look to salvage a win in Wednesday’s afternoon matinee.

Royals face familiar foe

Twelve years ago, the Royals drafted left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft.

Griffin played two seasons with the Royals before heading to Japan. He honed his craft with the Yomiuri Giants in the Japan Central League and returned stateside this season with the Nationals.

Now 30 years old, Griffin faced his former team on Tuesday night. And he posted a quality start as he limited the Royals to one run across six innings.

Griffin allowed six hits, two walks and struck out six batters in the outing.

The Nationals jumped out to a two-run lead in the third inning. Catcher Drew Millas got aboard with a leadoff single, and second baseman Nasim Nuñez drove him home with an RBI triple.

Later, Washington doubled their lead. All-Star outfielder James Wood added a sacrifice fly to record his 47th RBI of the season.

Nuñez was an offensive threat all night. In the fifth inning, he added a second triple off the outfield wall in right field. And once again, Wood drove him home with a single off Royals starter Michael Wacha.

Wacha allowed three earned runs in six innings. He issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts while also posting his first quality start since May 31. This season, Wacha has produced a quality start in 67% of his outings.

The Royals battled back in the seventh inning. Isaac Collins, who entered the game in place of third baseman Maikel Garcia, hit a two-run single off Nationals left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady.

Collins drove home Lane Thomas and Bobby Witt Jr. in the frame. Both players got aboard to start the seventh-inning rally. Kansas City also got a key at-bat from Jac Caglianone, who moved the runners into scoring position.

Wacha received no decision in the game. The Royals bullpen handled the late innings as Lynch was charged with three runs and the loss.

Garcia exits game

The Royals were hit with another injury on Tuesday. Garcia was removed with left-hand soreness in the sixth inning.

Earlier in the game, Garcia appeared to take some uncomfortable swings. He has dealt with the left-hand pain for some time and continued to play through it.

Garcia finished 0 for 1 in the game. He had a walk in the first inning and grounded into a double play in the fourth.

This season, Garcia has played in 67 games. He is batting .266 with three homers and 30 RBIs while posting a .704 OPS (on-base plus slugging).

What’s next

Royals right-hander Luinder Avila (1-3, 6.19 ERA) will start Wednesday’s series finale against the Nationals. He will oppose Washington righty Zack Littell (6-5, 5.32 ERA) with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. ET.

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