Mar 30, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Jonathan India (6) reacts after being hit by a pitch during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals lose the series with the Cleveland Guardians following a 6-2 loss on Sunday afternoon. Michael Wacha took the L, but his day wasn’t as bad compared to Jonathan India.

India was hit in the helmet by Guardians Closer Emmanuel Clase in the bottom of the 9th. India glared back at Clase as he walked into the clubhouse, signaling that this wasn’t over. I don’t believe he hit him on purpose, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

I’m still kind of collecting my thoughts on it,” designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino said. “But [Clase] threw a pitch that he doesn’t ever throw before, which was a four-seam fastball. His first one of the year. And then the next p[itch, trying to come back up and in. You got to get it. Trying to let a pitch ride. It didn’t. It hit [India] right in the face after almost hitting him in the face the pitch before. Obviously, I’m upset by it. I’m more upset for John, because we don’t know what’s going on with him right now. So it sucks.

-Vinnie Pasquntino on Clase’s HBP

Pasquantino had some other choice words (he liked the F-word as his bad word of choice) about the incident, but showed composure as he continued to explain his frustrations. He went on to say he doesn’t think there was intent in throwing at India.

“My view of it is he got hit in the fucking face,” Pasquantino said. I know there wasn’t any intent behind it, but felt like there was no adjustment made there and that’s frustrating. But they beat us. Hats off to them. Just a sucky situation.”

Pasquantino had an eventful day in the loss going 1-2 with a walk and this triple:

The offense continued to struggle as they could only collect 5 hits and didn’t score a run until the 8th inning. Tanner Bibee looked like an Ace for Guardians. The Royals could barely touch him only collecting 2 hits off of him 5.2 IP.

Wacha didn’t have his best stuff and fought command, similar to his Ragans and Lugo before him.

Wacha’s line looked like this: 4 IP | 4 hits | 1 R | 4 BB | 2K | 2.25 ERA

He pitched better than what his line suggests. Out of his four walks, only one of them came around to score. He was able to get out of jams throughout the day by keeping the Guardians hitters off balance. He mixed his speeds well and the Guardians were off balance.

The bullpen was tagged with 5 earned runs as the Guardians hit three long balls. Sam Long, [18.00 ERA] Chris Stratton [10.80] and John Schreiber all gave up home runs on the day that virtually put the Royals out of their misery. Out of those guys, Schreiber is the best bet to bounce back. His track record suggests that he can. Long was a surprise in 2024, and he might be turning back into the player that had a 5.60 ERA in 40 games with the Athletics in 23′. He was nails for the Royals in 24′ with a 3.16 ERA in 43 games so let’s hope he can rediscover that form.

It’s off to Milwaukee for the boys in blue as they take on the Brewers for a three-game set on Monday through Wednesday. Here’s how the Royals pitching match up will shake out on the road:

LHP- Kris Bubic: Monday

RHP- Michael Lorenzen: Tuesday

LHP- Cole Ragans: Wednesday

The Brewers will be a solid road test for the Royals, but are 0-3. There Brew Crew will be hungry to grab their first win, so the Royals will have no easy task winning this series. The key will be good starting pitching and the offense getting to the opposing starter early in the game. Vinnie and India seem to be the only Royals hitters that are seeing the ball well. I would love to see a breakout game from Bobby Wirr Jr. Maikel Garcia will get his first start in CF on Monday, so I will be watching closely to see how he fares out there. Dairon Blanco was placed on the 10-day IL and the Royals called up Tyler Tolbert. Tolbert can play Center Field like Blanco but unlike Blanco he can play the infield too.

Let’s see how the Royals look in Brew Town and until then stay tapped in with me, as I give my thoughts on every Royals game this season.