Royals Avoid Sweep with 4-1 Victory Over Braves

Carter Jansen's home run and sacrifice fly lead Kansas City to win in series finale

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves, with the players and field reduced to overlapping planes of bright blue, red, and white shapes.The Royals' victory over the Braves showcases the team's ability to compete with one of the National League's top squads as they return home.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals avoided a series sweep against the Atlanta Braves with a 4-1 victory on Sunday, March 29. Royals outfielder Carter Jansen hit a home run and added a sacrifice fly to lead the team's offense, while starting pitcher Seth Lugo had a strong outing, limiting the Braves to five hits over six-and-a-third innings.

Why it matters

The win gives the Royals their first victory of the young season after dropping the first two games of the series against the Braves. It's an important bounce-back performance for Kansas City as they head home to face the Minnesota Twins in their home opener.

The details

Jansen's fourth-inning home run gave the Royals a 2-0 lead, which they would not relinquish. Rookie Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the game's first run with a line drive to right field in the third inning. Vinnie Pasquantino added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 3-0. The Braves' only run came on a solo home run by Drake Baldwin in the eighth inning. Lugo earned the win, striking out three batters, while Lucas Erceg recorded the save.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Royals' home opener against the Twins is scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2026 at 3:10 p.m.

The players

Carter Jansen

A Royals outfielder who hit a home run and added a sacrifice fly to lead Kansas City's offense.

Bobby Witt Jr.

A Royals rookie who drove in the game's first run with a line drive to right field.

Vinnie Pasquantino

A Royals player who added an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Seth Lugo

The Royals' starting pitcher who earned the win, limiting the Braves to five hits over six-and-a-third innings.

Lucas Erceg

The Royals' pitcher who recorded the save.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we needed to bounce back after the first two games. The guys came out focused and ready to get a win before heading home.”

— Carter Jansen, Royals Outfielder

What’s next

The Royals will host the Minnesota Twins in their home opener on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 3:10 p.m. Kris Bubic is scheduled to start for Kansas City, while the Twins will send Simeon Woods Richardson to the mound.

The takeaway

The Royals' victory over the Braves provides a much-needed confidence boost as they return home to face the Twins. With contributions from young stars like Witt and Pasquantino, along with a strong pitching performance from Lugo, Kansas City showed it can compete with one of the National League's top teams and will look to build on this win in their home opener.