<\/p><\/div> Royals manager Matt Quatraro walks back to the dugout during KC\u2019s 14-6 win against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n dowilliams@kcstar.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n The Royals trailed by four runs entering the bottom of the ninth inning of Sunday\u2019s game against the Cardinals but quickly had St. Louis pitcher Riley O\u2019Brien on the ropes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone crushed a home run to open the frame, and O\u2019Brien hit catcher Salvador Perez with the very next pitch. Second baseman Michael Massey followed with a single and right fielder Lane Thomas reached on a fielder\u2019s choice. Suddenly it was a 12-10 game, and the Royals had two runners on with no outs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But O\u2019Brien got his first out when Kameron Misner\u2019s sacrifice bunt put Massey and Thomas in scoring position. According to Baseball Reference, the Cardinals\u2019 win probability had dropped from 98% to 67%<\/a> when Misner stepped to the plate. The bunt pushed St. Louis\u2019 win probability 4% higher. O\u2019Brien then struck out pinch hitter John Rave, who was batting for Nick Loftin, and induced a groundout from left fielder Isaac Collins to end the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caglianone praised Misner<\/a> for the bunt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe guys were putting together really good at-bats, fighting our way back into it,\u201d Caglianone told reporters. \u201cIt comes to the last out. And (Kameron Misner) dropped down that bunt to get the runners into scoring position. It was huge. Just little plays like that, I feel like, are going to help us down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Royals fans weren\u2019t so sure the bunt was a wise decision, particularly since the first four batters of the ninth inning had reached base. Here is what fans were saying, and some approved of the decision but not to remove Loftin, who had hit a home run earlier in the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Royals lost about 4% of win probability with the sac bunt. I guess it’s possible Misner could have grounded out and advanced the runners anyways which ends the same but not an intentional out pic.twitter.com\/I8KYhbpxBv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Make the pitcher demonstrate he can throw a damn strike. That dude was sinking fast and the R’s pretty much sent him the tugboat and life jacket.<\/p>\n \u2014 Slade Dillon (@dillon_sla70415) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Bunting is unforgivable in that situation, absolutely not the play<\/p>\n \u2014 phil (@sheriff40) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Where\u2019s the Money Ball meme about bunting when you need it.<\/p>\n \u2014 Scott Endsley (@sendsley) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s what unserious organizations do.<\/p>\n \u2014 Randy L. Ellison (@RLE1987) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n <\/p>\n the Misner PA was the highest leverage of the game. Followed by the final out and the Rave PH. The Misner bunt lowered the run expectancy. #Royals<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/u7N5F2jew6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandon H. (@BHIndepMO) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I didn\u2019t care for that either. When you\u2019re behind, those outs are precious.<\/p>\n \u2014 Bill Carle (@BillCarle1) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n And pinch hit for a guy that was 2 for 4 with a HR.<\/p>\n \u2014 DDuff (@dduff13) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I HATE throwing away a precious out. #bunting<\/a> #royals<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bob McWilliams (@radiobobkansas) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n <\/p>\n This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 10:09 AM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n Dominick Williams
\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Related Stories from Kansas City Star<\/h5>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/public\/latest-news\/yaulkm\/picture221764925\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/mug%20Cropped.jpg\")