Royals Topple Nationals 6-2 Thanks To Barrage Of Solo Home Runs

The Royals launched home runs early and held on for a 6-2 win at Nationals Park, getting a four-hit afternoon from Carter Jensen, who finished 4-for-4 with a home run and a double. Three other Royals went deep — John Rave, Lane Thomas, and Michael Massey — to build the lead. Starter Luinder Avila handled the rest, working 5 1/3 innings and allowing one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. The bullpen covered the final innings to close out the four-run margin.

Here are all four home runs the Royals hit in the game:

Michael Massey Homers to Center (+0.068 Win Expectancy)

Massey batted in the top of the third inning with the Royals already ahead 3-0 and one out. Facing Zack Littell with a 1-1 count, he turned on an 87.7 mph slider and drove it to center field. The ball left the bat at 105.6 mph and traveled 430 feet for his seventh home run of the season, pushing the lead to 4-0. It was the second Royals home run of the inning and was the second of consecutive long balls against the Washington starter.

Lane Thomas Homers to Center (+0.087 Win Expectancy)

Thomas came up in the top of the third with the Royals leading 2-0 and one out. He worked the count to 2-2 against Zack Littell and connected on a 92.5 mph sinker, sending it to center field. The ball came off the bat at 100.8 mph and carried 411 feet for his fifth home run of the year, extending the lead to 3-0. It set the stage for back-to-back Royals home runs in the inning.

Carter Jensen Homers to Right (+0.096 Win Expectancy)

Jensen led off the game in the top of the first against Zack Littell. Down 1-2 in the count, he got an 82 mph splitter and lifted it to right field. The ball traveled 366 feet for his ninth home run of the season and opened the scoring at 1-0. The leadoff shot was the first of his four hits on the day and set the tone for the Royals' early offense.

John Rave Homers to Center (+0.098 Win Expectancy)

Rave batted in the top of the second inning with the Royals up 1-0 and one out. He jumped on the first pitch from Zack Littell, a 92.1 mph four-seam fastball, and lined it to center field. The ball left the bat at 106.3 mph and traveled 402 feet for his first home run of the 2026 season, increasing the lead to 2-0. It was the hardest-hit of the Royals' four home runs on the afternoon.

The Royals return home Thursday to open a series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM CT. Kansas City is expected to start Noah Cameron (4.11 ERA), with St. Louis countering with left-hander Matthew Liberatore (4.71 ERA).