Keaschall’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Twins Over Royals in Extras

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Luke Keaschall crushed a two-run homer in the 11th inning, capping a dramatic 5-3 walk-off win for the Minnesota Twins over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

With two outs in the 11th, Keaschall sent a fastball from Royals closer Carlos Estévez (4-4) just over the right-centerfield wall for Minnesota’s ninth walk-off win of the season. It was Keaschall’s third hit of the game and extended his on-base streak to 12 straight games to begin his MLB career.

Ryan Fitzgerald, playing in just his fourth major league game, hit his first career home run in the third inning — a solo shot off the top of the right field wall — giving the Twins a 2-1 lead.

Michael Tonkin (1-0) earned the win after delivering two scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th. It marked his first victory since July 30, 2024, and he was the seventh pitcher used by Minnesota on the day.

Kansas City got strong offensive efforts from Adam Frazier, who had four hits, and Maikel Garcia, who added three. Vinnie Pasquantino gave the Royals a 3-2 lead in the seventh with his 20th home run of the season.

Minnesota tied the game in the eighth after Austin Martin tripled on a misplayed diving attempt by John Rave, with the ball rolling to the wall. Ryan Jeffers brought Martin home with a game-tying RBI.

Frazier had a chance to break the tie in the ninth but flew out with the bases loaded. The Royals finished 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and stranded 15 runners in total — a costly inefficiency.

The loss dropped Kansas City to 46-4 in games when leading after seven innings. The Twins, meanwhile, notched just their third win in 48 games when trailing after seven.

Up Next:

• Royals: LHP Bailey Falter (7-6, 4.14 ERA) will start Monday against the Nationals’ RHP Cade Cavalli (0-0, 0.00).
• Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews (3-3, 5.17 ERA) takes the mound Monday against Yankees RHP Will Warren (6-5, 4.44).