Braves Rally for Walkoff Grand Slam Against Royals

Reliever Carlos Estévez struggles in season debut, squandering Royals' lead

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:34pm

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The Kansas City Royals blew a late-inning lead, as reliever Carlos Estévez allowed a walk-off grand slam to the Atlanta Braves' Dominic Smith in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Braves a 6-2 victory.

Why it matters

The loss is a tough start to the season for the Royals, who had a chance to win the series against the defending National League champion Braves. Estévez, the Royals' closer last season, will need to bounce back quickly to regain the trust of the coaching staff and fans.

The details

Estévez came on to pitch the ninth inning with the Royals leading 2-1. He quickly ran into trouble, walking the leadoff hitter and allowing a single. After a pop out, Estévez gave up an RBI single, a walk to load the bases, and then the game-ending grand slam to Dominic Smith. The loss spoiled a strong outing from Royals starter Michael Wacha, who had allowed just three hits over six innings.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • The Royals and Braves were playing the third game of their season-opening series.

The players

Carlos Estévez

The Royals' closer last season, who recorded a career-high 42 saves with a 2.45 ERA.

Dominic Smith

The Braves' first baseman, who hit the game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Michael Wacha

The Royals' starting pitcher, who had a strong outing, allowing just three hits over six innings.

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What they’re saying

“It's a tough way to start the season, but we'll bounce back. Carlos is a proven closer, and we know he'll get back on track.”

— Mike Matheny, Royals Manager

What’s next

The Royals and Braves will conclude their series on Sunday, March 29, with first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. local time.

The takeaway

The Royals' bullpen struggles in the season opener highlight the importance of a strong closer and the fine line between winning and losing in Major League Baseball. Estévez will look to rebound quickly, while the Royals aim to avoid the sweep and get their season back on track.