Royals 9, Reds 2: Thomas Grand Slam Opens Road Win at Great American Ball Park

The lead

June 1, 2026 - Cincinnati - Lane Thomas hit a first-inning grand slam, Luinder Avila pitched a career-high five innings, and the Kansas City Royals snapped a six-game skid with a 9-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds, per the Associated Press recap on ABC News.

Kansas City (23-37) won for just the fourth time in 20 games. Thomas went 3-for-5 with four RBIs—his second homer of the season and first since April 26.

How the game turned

Reds right-hander Lyon Richardson (0-1) replaced illness-scratched Chase Burns and lasted one inning. Richardson walked two and hit a batter before Thomas' third career grand slam made it 4-0. JJ Bleday answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the first for 4-1.

Jac Caglianone added a two-run shot in the fifth and Michael Massey homered in the seventh off Brandon Leibrandt, who pitched six innings in relief. Bobby Witt Jr. scored three runs and drove in one on a sixth-inning single.

Pitching and matchup notes

Avila (1-2) allowed one run on two hits with four walks and a career-high five strikeouts on 86 pitches in his second career start, filling in for injured Kris Bubic. Leibrandt gave the depleted Cincinnati bullpen length but allowed five earned runs on 10 hits.

Prospect Edwin Arroyo debuted at second base after Elly De La Cruz landed on the IL with a hamstring strain, going 1-for-4 with his first career hit.

Bats that changed the board

Thomas' slam cleared the bases after walks to Maikel Garcia and Witt and a hit batter. Vinnie Pasquantino singled home a run in the sixth; Nick Loftin added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

AthX Engine scored Kansas City at 19 team FP—second on the Monday board—with Thomas at 13 hitting FP. First-inning leverage plus a quality start from an unexpected arm is exactly the profile daily scoring rewards; share prices still follow dynamic pricing.

What comes next

Noah Cameron (2-4) opposes Andrew Abbott (4-3) in game two Tuesday, per AP.

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, ESPN game recap, ABC News/AP, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*