Rich Hill's historic debut marred by Royals' troubles on defense -- and offense

Pete Grathoff, The Kansas City Star on Jul 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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CHICAGO — “Seven Nation Army” played in the Royals’ clubhouse before their game Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and the evening’s starting pitcher was enjoying it.

Rich Hill sat at his stall, tapping his toes — which were in socks and shower shoes — in rhythm to the classic White Stripes song. A tune that was released in 2003, one year after Hill was drafted by the Cubs.

It’s little secret the 45-year-old Hill is no spring chicken, but the Royals thought there was still some life left in his left arm and gave him a chance.

And he rewarded their faith in a game the Royals nonetheless lost, 6-0. The Royals had an uncharacteristically bad night in the field, committing three errors, along with some all-too-familiar struggles at the plate (four singles in eight innings).

Errors by third baseman Nick Loftin and first baseman Salvador Perez in the second inning cost the Royals a chance at a double play, twice. The Cubs got a fortunate bounce on an infield single, too, and scored two unearned runs.

In the fifth inning, the Cubs had a runner on first when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a laser to right field. Rookie Jac Caglianone got a bad read on the ball and it sailed over his head. Carson Kelly came around to score to make it 3-0.

Caglianone did show off his strong arm and threw out Crow-Armstrong, who was trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Hill, who set a record as the oldest player to appear in a game for the Royals, allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out one, although he did get eight swings and misses in his 90-pitch outing.

Hill’s fastest pitch of the night was a 91.1-mph fastball.

Missed opportunity

The Royals trailed 2-0 in the top of the fifth when they loaded the bases with one out.

Unfortunately for the Royals, Kyle Isbel lined out to shortstop Dansby Swanson, who tagged catcher Freddy Fermin for an inning-ending double play.

Chicago scored three in the seventh inning, the last run coming when Kyle Tucker stole home as part of a double steal. The execution on this play also wasn’t great by the Royals’ defense.

The Cubs stole seven bases Tuesday, tying a Royals club record for most steals in a game. They also allowed that many in a 1980 game against the Athletics.

Royals trade

The Royals acquired Julio Rodríguez from the Mariners on Tuesday.

Nah, it wasn’t the Seattle center fielder. This was a minor league deal. This Rodríguez is a catcher, and he will play at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Seattle Sports said the Mariners received cash in return.

This Rodríguez, 28, has a .231 average in 15 minor league games.

Up next

The Royals will go for the series win Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley. Right-hander Seth Lugo (6-5) starts for the Royals in the 1:20 p.m. game. The Cubs haven’t announced their starter.