Royals 8, Twins 6: Rojas Pinch-Hit Single Wins It in Ninth

The lead

June 4, 2026 - Minneapolis - Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead, two-run single as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning in his Kansas City debut, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 8-6, per ESPN's recap.

The Royals finished with 13 team FP in AthX Engine scoring on a night when both bullpens wobbled.

How the game turned

Minnesota built a lead behind Byron Buxton and Victor Caratini, who finished with 10 hitting FP in AthX Engine scoring. The Twins looked poised to even the series after Chicago shut them out the night before.

Kansas City answered late. Rojas, acquired before the deadline and making his Royals debut off the bench, delivered the two-run single that flipped a 6-7 deficit into an 8-7 lead the Royals would hold.

Pitching and matchup notes

Matt Strahm (3-1) earned the win in relief. Tyler Rogers (2-3) took the loss for Minnesota.

Both teams combined for 14 runs and 20 hits, a back-and-forth game where the final at-bat mattered more than the starting pitching.

Bats that changed the board

Rojas' pinch-hit single was the defining swing. Caratini's 10 FP night showed how a losing team can still produce fantasy value when the offense stacks hits.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

AthX Engine graded Kansas City at 13 team FP in a comeback win. Pinch-hit heroics and late rallies register in daily scoring even when the starter's line is ordinary, separate from dynamic pricing.

What comes next

The Royals and Twins continue the series Friday at Target Field, per the MLB schedule.

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, ESPN scoreboard, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*