Full Breakdown
Caglianone's Two-Homer Performance Powers Royals Past Rays
6/24/2026, 11:31:31 PM
Game Summary
On June 24, 2026, at Tropicana Field, Kansas City Royals beat Tampa Bay Rays 12–5. Nick Loftin and Jac Caglianone homered in the first; Caglianone added a 416-foot two-run shot in the fifth. Kansas City added five runs in the eighth to make it 12–2. Rays scored three in the ninth. Royals starter Luinder Avila (3-3) gave up one run in five innings; Rays starter Shane McClanahan (6-5) allowed six runs (four earned) in six innings.
Background & Context
Kansas City entered the game 34-46, near AL bottom but on a five-game winning streak that included three wins at St. Petersburg. Jac Caglianone, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick from Florida, was in a hot June, tying for league lead with nine homers.
Player Highlights
Caglianone had three hits, two homers (443-foot solo, 416-foot two-run) and three RBIs. Loftin went 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs. Avila (3-3) struck out six, walked four and gave up one run. Perez added a two-run double in the eighth.
Data Snapshot
Kansas City recorded 14 hits and 12 runs. Caglianone’s 443-foot solo and 416-foot two-run homers gave him his ninth June homer, tying for the AL lead. Avila: 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K. McClanahan: 6 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K.
Official Statements & Responses
Caglianone called the first homer “really cool and special” with family in the stands. Loftin said the team “has been doing that lately from top to bottom.” Manager Matt Quatraro called the outburst “a great example of our ability to put together big innings.”
Criticism & Opposition
Rays starter Shane McClanahan, who entered the season with a three-home-run limit, surrendered two long balls and six runs, a sharp contrast to his early-season performance.
On-the-Ground Perspective
An AP report noted Caglianone, a Tampa Bay native, celebrated his first homer with family and friends in the stands, calling it “pretty cool” and “special.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Caglianone’s season home run total—some list 13, others 14—without an official clarification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Just being a kid, you know, thinking about hitting a home run here, even if it’s not for them (Rays) is still really cool and special moment for me,” — Jac Caglianone, Royals outfielder
- “He hits balls harder than anybody,” — Nick Loftin, Royals third baseman
- “We put together really good ABs,” — Nick Loftin, Royals outfielder
- “It was one I had to fight for,” — Luinder Avila, Royals pitcher
What’s Next
Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (4-4, 4.20 ERA) will start Wednesday against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax (2-5, 3.67 ERA) at 5:40 p.m. Central.
