Royals Roll Past Cubs 9-3 in Spring Training Victory

On March 6, 2025, the Kansas City Royals defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-3 in a spring training game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Royals’ offense erupted early, powered by a home run from prospect Jac Caglianone and a strong outing from starter Cole Ragans, securing a decisive win in this Cactus League matchup.

The Royals wasted no time asserting dominance, scoring five runs in the first inning against Cubs starter Justin Steele, who was scratched due to flu-like symptoms and replaced by an unnamed pitcher. Kansas City sent nine batters to the plate, with the rally starting innocently enough before exploding. Bobby Witt Jr. walked and stole second, setting the stage for Caglianone’s three-run homer—his first of the spring—which rocketed over the right-field wall and gave the Royals a 3-0 lead. The 21-year-old first baseman, a top prospect, showcased his immense power, earning buzz on X as a future star. Two more runs crossed on a Nick Loftin single and a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 5-0 before Chicago could regroup.

Kansas City added to their advantage in the fourth, tacking on three more runs against Cubs reliever Jack Neely. Dairon Blanco’s two-run triple highlighted the frame, scoring two, followed by Loftin’s sacrifice fly that made it 8-0. The Royals capped their scoring in the seventh with a solo run, though specifics of that play are less detailed in available sources, bringing the final tally to 9-3.

Ragans, the Royals’ starter, was sharp in his spring debut, throwing two scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit—a single—while striking out three and walking one, with his fastball reportedly touching the high 90s and his slider showing bite, per X posts. His outing set the tone for a Royals pitching staff that limited Chicago’s offense for much of the game. Relievers like Michael Lorenzen and others held the Cubs to three late runs, with Lorenzen allowing a two-run homer in the fifth.

For the Cubs, the offense struggled early against Ragans and company. Pete Crow-Armstrong provided a bright spot, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base, raising his spring average to .400. The Cubs finally broke through in the fifth when Beau Workman launched a two-run homer off Lorenzen, cutting the deficit to 8-2. They added a third run in the sixth on Crow-Armstrong’s speed, scoring from second on a wild pitch, but it wasn’t enough to mount a serious comeback.

Chicago’s pitching faltered after Steele’s absence. The replacement starter surrendered five runs in the first, while Neely was tagged for three in the fourth. The Cubs’ staff issued five walks and struggled to contain Kansas City’s aggressive approach, dropping Chicago to 6-2 in the spring while the Royals improved to 5-3.
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Standouts for Kansas City included Caglianone (3 RBIs), Blanco (2 RBIs), and Loftin (2 RBIs), with Ragans anchoring the effort on the mound. For the Cubs, Crow-Armstrong and Workman (2 RBIs) shone, but the early deficit proved too steep. Played on March 6, 2025, this 9-3 Royals win—detailed through ESPN box scores and sentiment from posts on X—highlighted Kansas City’s offensive depth and pitching promise in a one-sided spring training affair.