Royals Sign Justin Topa To Minor League Deal
Topa carries an 8.05 ERA and 2.00 WHIP from his time with Minnesota, unlikely to impact a Kansas City bullpen already averaging 5.35 ERA (Erceg), 5.08 ERA (Cruz), and 5.05 ERA (Avila) across relief arms.
Kansas City Royals vs New York Mets — Jul 7, 2026 | AI Prediction & Stats
Scoreboard
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royals
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | - | 9 | 13 | 3 | |||
Mets
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 9 | 9 | 0 |
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Probable Pitchers
Kansas City Royals — Roster
| Player | Pos | AVG | HR | RBI | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Carter Jensen |
C | .248 | 13 | 47 | .312 | .441 |
 Bobby Witt Jr. |
SS | .293 | 12 | 37 | .365 | .466 |
 Lane Thomas |
CF | .229 | 6 | 27 | .336 | .371 |
 Salvador Perez |
DH | .210 | 11 | 34 | .252 | .347 |
 Jac Caglianone |
1B | .259 | 14 | 33 | .324 | .458 |
 Nick Loftin |
3B | .238 | 3 | 27 | .335 | .388 |
 Isaac Collins |
LF | .240 | 4 | 26 | .347 | .352 |
 Michael Massey |
2B | .264 | 7 | 31 | .300 | .434 |
 Tyler Tolbert |
RF | .378 | 2 | 5 | .420 | .533 |
New York Mets — Roster
| Player | Pos | AVG | HR | RBI | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A.J. Ewing |
CF | .272 | 6 | 23 | .352 | .428 |
 Juan Soto |
LF | .301 | 20 | 49 | .413 | .579 |
 Bo Bichette |
3B | .260 | 10 | 50 | .305 | .385 |
 Francisco Lindor |
SS | .212 | 4 | 10 | .294 | .358 |
 Carson Benge |
RF | .260 | 11 | 35 | .319 | .406 |
 Jorge Polanco |
DH | .172 | 1 | 2 | .250 | .276 |
 Jared Young |
1B | .227 | 6 | 16 | .296 | .398 |
 Brett Baty |
2B | .219 | 3 | 27 | .298 | .307 |
 Luis Torrens |
C | .222 | 2 | 18 | .283 | .327 |
Scoring Plays
▼ 1
Carson Benge singles on a ground ball to pitcher Seth Lugo. A.J. Ewing scores. Bo Bichette scores. Carson Benge scores. Throwing error by pitcher Seth Lugo. Throwing error by first baseman Jac Caglianone. Throwing error by third baseman Nick Loftin.
0-3
▲ 2
Tyler Tolbert homers (2) on a line drive to left field. Michael Massey scores.
2-3
▼ 2
A.J. Ewing homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Luis Torrens scores.
2-5
▲ 4
Lane Thomas doubles (12) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Juan Soto. Michael Massey scores. Tyler Tolbert scores. Bobby Witt Jr. to 3rd.
4-5
▼ 4
A.J. Ewing singles on a ground ball to center fielder Lane Thomas. Brett Baty scores. Luis Torrens to 3rd.
4-6
▼ 4
Juan Soto homers (20) on a fly ball to center field. Luis Torrens scores. A.J. Ewing scores.
4-9
▲ 5
Isaac Collins doubles (16) on a fly ball to left fielder Juan Soto. Jac Caglianone scores. Nick Loftin to 3rd.
5-9
▲ 5
Michael Massey doubles (15) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Carson Benge. Nick Loftin scores. Isaac Collins scores.
7-9
▲ 5
Bobby Witt Jr. grounds into a force out, shortstop Francisco Lindor to second baseman Brett Baty. Michael Massey scores. Tyler Tolbert to 3rd. Carter Jensen out at 2nd. Bobby Witt Jr. to 1st.
8-9
▲ 5
Salvador Perez singles on a fly ball to center fielder A.J. Ewing. Tyler Tolbert scores. Lane Thomas to 3rd.
9-9
Kansas City Royals — Batting
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | HR | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter JensenC |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .248 | .753 |
| Bobby Witt Jr.SS |
3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .293 | .831 |
| Lane ThomasCF |
3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .229 | .707 |
| Salvador PerezDH |
3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .210 | .599 |
| Jac Caglianone1B |
4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .259 | .782 |
| Nick Loftin3B |
3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .238 | .723 |
| Isaac CollinsLF |
2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .240 | .699 |
| Michael Massey2B |
2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .264 | .734 |
| Tyler TolbertRF |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .378 | .953 |
| Totals | 26 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
BATTING
2B: Thomas, L (12, Senga); Caglianone (13, Warren, A); Collins (16, Warren, A); Massey (15, Warren, A); Loftin (13, Brazobán).
HR: Tolbert (2, 2nd inning off Senga, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Caglianone 2; Collins 2; Jensen; Loftin 2; Massey 3; Perez, S; Thomas, L 3; Tolbert 6; Witt Jr.
RBI: Collins (26); Massey 2 (31); Perez, S (34); Thomas, L 2 (27); Tolbert 2 (5); Witt Jr. (37).
2-out RBI: Tolbert 2; Thomas, L 2; Perez, S.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Caglianone 3; Perez, S 2.
Team RISP: 5-for-11.
Team LOB: 8.
BASERUNNING
SB: Tolbert (10, 2nd base off Warren, A/Torrens).
CS: Witt Jr. (5, 2nd base by Brazobán/Torrens).
FIELDING
E: Loftin (7, throw); Lugo, S (1, throw); Caglianone (4, throw).
New York Mets — Batting
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | HR | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. EwingCF |
3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .272 | .780 |
| Juan SotoLF |
3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .301 | .992 |
| Bo Bichette3B |
3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .260 | .690 |
| Francisco LindorSS |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .212 | .652 |
| Carson BengeRF |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .260 | .725 |
| Jorge PolancoDH |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .172 | .526 |
| Jared Young1B |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .227 | .694 |
| Brett Baty2B |
3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .219 | .605 |
| Luis TorrensC |
2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 | .610 |
| Totals | 24 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
BATTING
2B: Baty (13, Lugo, S).
HR: Ewing (6, 2nd inning off Lugo, S, 1 on, 2 out); Soto, J (20, 4th inning off Lugo, S, 2 on, 1 out).
TB: Baty 2; Benge; Bichette; Ewing 6; Soto, J 4; Torrens; Young, J.
RBI: Ewing 3 (23); Soto, J 3 (49).
2-out RBI: Ewing 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Polanco.
Team RISP: 3-for-6.
Team LOB: 2.
BASERUNNING
SB: Benge (12, 2nd base off Lugo, S/Jensen).
Kansas City Royals — Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | PC-ST | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Seth Lugo |
4.1 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 94-59 | 4.56 |
 Daniel Lynch IV |
0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5-4 | 2.45 |
New York Mets — Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | PC-ST | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cionel Pérez |
1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14-9 | 5.35 |
 Kodai Senga |
3.0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 61-31 | 8.92 |
 Austin Warren |
0.0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26-16 | 4.63 |
 Huascar Brazobán |
1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26-14 | 2.93 |
Game Info
Umpires: Home Plate: Ron Kulpa; First Base: Tyler Jones; Second Base: Manny Gonzalez; Third Base: Tom Hanahan
Venue: Citi Field, Flushing
Weather: 69°F, Cloudy
Wind: 3 mph, In From LF
Kansas City Royals — News
Mets survive Braves late rally, earn series split behind Soto homer
Soto (.301 AVG, 0.430 OBP, .43 xwOBA) delivered in the ninth but NYM still needed 10th-inning insurance, highlighting inconsistency in a lineup scoring just 369 runs (second-worst in NL East). Weaver (1.90 ERA, 0.26 xwOBA) closed cleanly, but ATL (52-37, +95 run diff) remains the division's clear favorite despite dropping back-to-back games.
Sánchez allows poor outing vs. Royals
One bad start doesn't dent Sánchez's 2.00 ERA and 10-3 record, but PHI's rotation depth is thin—Wheeler (2.36 ERA) and Luzardo (3.75 ERA) are the only other reliable arms with Nola at 5.87 ERA in 18 starts.
Tyler Tolbert goes 5-for-5 with homer in Royals' rout
Tolbert's perfect night masks a .241 AVG season and xwOBA of .316—one game doesn't reverse his trend as a below-replacement hitter in KC's 36-54 lineup.
Rangers passed on Lane Thomas in offseason; Royals signed him to $5.25MM deal
Thomas is hitting .214/.312/.338 (xwOBA .312) in 74 games for Kansas City after the Rangers deemed the contract too expensive. His production aligns with the Royals' 35-54 record and -88 run differential.
New York Mets — News
Mets Activate Jorge Polanco From 60-Day IL
Polanco returns with a .179 AVG and .270 xwOBA across 14 games, offering marginal offensive upside to a Mets lineup scoring 3.5 runs per game (369 RS in 91 games). The move still leaves NYM at 38-53 with a -60 run differential and thin infield depth as Mauricio (.180 AVG, .205 xwOBA) heads to Triple-A.
Mets Designate Guillo Zuñiga For Assignment
Zuñiga appeared in just one game with a 9.00 BB/9 rate, so his departure removes minimal bullpen depth from a NYM unit that has Weaver (1.90 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) and Minter (0.56 ERA in 16 G) anchoring relief. Seelinger's acquisition adds rotation depth behind McLean (3.73 ERA, 118 SO) in a staff where Senga (8.66 ERA, 0-7) has struggled significantly.
Last Night In Baseball: Braves-Mets offensive display, Dodgers reach 60 wins
Dodgers (60-32, +164 run diff) clinched their 60th win while LAD's rotation depth remains elite with Ohtani (1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 95 SO) leading a staff where even the fourth starter Wrobleski carries a 2.80 ERA. Braves (52-37) and Mets (38-53, -60 run diff) combined for a high-scoring series in which Atlanta's lead in NL East run differential (+95 vs Mets' -60) underscores the gap between the division's tier-one and rebuilding teams.
Mets survive Braves late rally, earn series split behind Soto homer
Soto (.301 AVG, 0.430 OBP, .43 xwOBA) delivered in the ninth but NYM still needed 10th-inning insurance, highlighting inconsistency in a lineup scoring just 369 runs (second-worst in NL East). Weaver (1.90 ERA, 0.26 xwOBA) closed cleanly, but ATL (52-37, +95 run diff) remains the division's clear favorite despite dropping back-to-back games.
Tigers Trade Matt Seelinger To Mets
Seelinger's acquisition on a 40-man roster bump gives NYM depth behind McLean (3.73 ERA, 118 SO) and Scott (3.49 ERA), though the Mets remain 23 games under .500 with a -61 run differential.
Season Comparison
Royals
STAT
Mets
37-54
Record
38-53
40.7%
Win %
41.8%
.407
PCT
.418
384
Runs For
369
455
Runs Against
429
91
Games Played
91
W2
Streak
W2
3-7
Last 10
4-6
21-26
Home Record
19-24
16-28
Away Record
19-29
Royals Recent
Jul 6
vs Phillies
1-15
W
Jul 5
vs Phillies
2-5
W
Jul 4
vs Phillies
6-1
L
Jul 2
vs Rays
5-2
L
Jul 1
vs Rays
4-0
L
Mets Recent
Jul 6
@ Braves
7-6
W
Jul 5
@ Braves
10-9
W
Jul 4
@ Braves
3-14
L
Jul 3
@ Braves
3-5
L
Jul 1
@ Blue Jays
3-9
L
