On October 2, 2024, the Baltimore Orioles faced the Kansas City Royals in the final game of their regular season, losing 2-1 in a closely contested matchup at Kauffman Stadium. With the postseason on the horizon, the Orioles were hoping to head into the playoffs on a high note, but their offense was stifled by a strong Royals pitching performance. Despite out-hitting Kansas City, Baltimore was unable to come through in key moments, falling short in a game that could have provided momentum heading into October baseball.
The Order of Battle – Play by Play
The game began as a pitcher’s duel, with both teams failing to generate much offense through the first three innings. Orioles starter Kyle Bradish was effective early, working quickly and keeping the Royals off balance with a mix of fastballs and breaking pitches. Kansas City starter Brady Singer matched him inning-for-inning, preventing the Orioles from capitalizing on a few early baserunners.
The Royals broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a leadoff single by Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez doubled into the right-center gap, scoring Witt to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Bradish limited the damage by inducing two groundouts, but the Royals had drawn first blood.
Baltimore’s offense responded in the top of the sixth inning. Gunnar Henderson worked a full count before slashing a double down the left-field line, putting himself in scoring position. After Cedric Mullins grounded out, Ryan Mountcastle lined a single to center, scoring Henderson to tie the game at 1-1. However, the Orioles couldn’t add to their total, as Singer worked out of the jam, getting Adley Rutschman to pop out and striking out Anthony Santander to end the inning.
The deciding moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Royals first baseman Nick Pratto led off the inning with a walk, and Bradish was replaced by reliever Danny Coulombe. Coulombe struck out the first batter he faced but then gave up a single to Michael Massey, moving Pratto to third. With one out, Royals shortstop Maikel Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Pratto to score and giving Kansas City a 2-1 lead.
The Orioles mounted a final rally in the top of the ninth. After Rutschman drew a walk, Santander ripped a single to right, putting runners on first and second with one out. Royals closer Carlos Hernández bore down, though, striking out Henderson and getting Mullins to ground out to end the game, securing the 2-1 victory for Kansas City.
Notable Performances
Kyle Bradish: Bradish delivered another quality start, going 6 innings and allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. His ability to work out of trouble early kept the Orioles in the game, but the lack of run support left him with a no-decision.
Brady Singer (Royals): Singer was outstanding for Kansas City, pitching 7 innings and allowing just 1 run while striking out 8. His command was sharp, and he effectively mixed his pitches to keep Orioles hitters off-balance.
Gunnar Henderson: Henderson’s sixth-inning double set up Baltimore’s only run, and he remained one of the Orioles’ most consistent performers down the stretch. His aggressive approach at the plate and speed on the base paths continued to be an asset.
Nick Pratto (Royals): Pratto was pivotal in the Royals’ victory, reaching base twice and scoring the game-winning run in the seventh inning after drawing a crucial walk to lead off the frame.
Carlos Hernández (Royals): Hernández recorded the save for Kansas City, working out of a ninth-inning jam to preserve the win. His poise in high-leverage situations was key, as he kept the Orioles from tying or taking the lead in the final moments.
What Worked and What Didn’t: In-depth Game Analysis
The Orioles’ offensive struggles in this game highlighted a recurring issue in their lineup: the inability to come through with runners in scoring position. Despite outhitting the Royals, Baltimore went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. This lack of execution in key moments has been a theme in several of their losses this season, and it’s something they’ll need to address heading into the playoffs.
Pitching-wise, Baltimore’s staff performed well enough to win. Bradish was solid through six innings, allowing just one run, and the bullpen, though not flawless, kept the game within reach. Danny Coulombe’s inability to keep the inherited runner from scoring in the seventh was costly, but overall, the Orioles’ pitching gave them a chance to win. However, Baltimore’s hitters were unable to provide the necessary run support, particularly in the late innings when they had opportunities to tie the game or take the lead.
For the Royals, Brady Singer’s performance was a reminder of why he’s one of the more underrated pitchers in the American League. His ability to command the zone and mix speeds effectively neutralized the Orioles’ offense. The Royals’ bullpen also stepped up, with Hernández shutting the door in the ninth despite Baltimore’s best efforts to rally.
Defensively, the Orioles were solid, committing no errors and making several key plays, including a sliding catch by Mullins in center field to prevent extra bases in the fifth inning. However, Kansas City’s defense was equally sharp, turning a critical double play in the eighth inning to squash a potential Orioles rally.
A Season Ends for the Orioles
The Orioles’ 2-1 loss to the Royals was a frustrating way to end the regular season, as their inability to capitalize on offensive opportunities proved to be their downfall. Despite solid pitching performances from both Bradish and the bullpen, Baltimore’s bats were quiet when it mattered most, and the team was left with little momentum heading into the postseason.
As the Orioles prepare for their playoff run, they’ll need to focus on improving their situational hitting. While the team has been one of the top offensive units throughout the season, their struggles with runners in scoring position could be a problem in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs.
The Royals, meanwhile, finished their season on a high note, with Brady Singer and their bullpen combining for an impressive pitching performance. Although Kansas City is not headed to the postseason, their young core of players, including Nick Pratto and Bobby Witt Jr., showed promise for the future.
For Baltimore, this loss serves as a reminder that even the best teams can be vulnerable when they fail to execute the fundamentals. The Orioles have the talent and depth to make a deep playoff run, but they’ll need to be more consistent in capitalizing on scoring chances if they hope to bring a championship back to Camden Yards. As they enter the postseason, the pressure will only increase, and every missed opportunity could prove costly.