This game got out of hand late. San Diego scored 4 in the 2nd, then broke it open with a 9-run 8th capped by France's three-run homer, before tacking on 5 more in the 9th, including another Merrill blast. The Padres finished with 19 hits against just 8 for Kansas City, a total blowout after dropping the first two games of the series.
It's a wild swing for a Padres team that's still just 48-50 and dealing with a rotation ravaged by injury — Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta and Lucas Giolito are all out, which is why a back-end arm like Márquez was even needed in this spot. San Diego will take the split personality if it means stealing the finale in this fashion.
- 10-Day-ILSamad Taylor (LF) — Taylor said Wednesday that he exited Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks with a right side injury, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.07/08
- 15-Day-ILDavid Morgan (RP) — Morgan (knee) began a rehab assignment at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, yielding one hit and two walks with one strikeout in one-third of an inning, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.07/16
- 15-Day-ILJason Adam (RP) — Adam said Friday that an MRI on his right shoulder revealed no major structural damage, and he's hopeful to return from the 15-day injured list in early-to-mid August, MLB.com reports.07/07
- 15-Day-ILJeremiah Estrada (RP) — Estrada (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, his first since landing on the injured list June 5, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.07/07
- 15-Day-ILLucas Giolito (SP) — Giolito (elbow) resumed light throwing in late June, per MLB.com.07/03
- OutYu Darvish (SP) — Darvish (elbow) revealed Tuesday in a social media post that he has resumed playing catch.05/12
- 60-Day-ILNick Pivetta (SP) — Pivetta (forearm) threw a light bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.06/29
- 60-Day-ILJoe Musgrove (SP) — Musgrove (elbow) started playing catch in late May, per MLB.com.06/08
- 60-Day-ILRamon Laureano (LF) — Laureano underwent surgery Friday to repair his torn right labrum, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.06/05
- 60-Day-ILBryan Hoeing (RP) — The Padres transferred Hoeing (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
- Day-To-DayBobby Witt Jr. (SS) — Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres due to back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.07/19
- 10-Day-ILMaikel Garcia (3B) — Garcia (hand) began swinging during the All-Star break and is set to be re-evaluated Sunday, per MLB.com.07/18
- 10-Day-ILKyle Isbel (CF) — Isbel (foot) participated in a full team workout Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.07/18
- 15-Day-ILStephen Kolek (SP) — Kolek (personal) was reinstated from the family medical leave list and placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right flexor strain.07/19
- 15-Day-ILConnor Seabold (RP) — The Royals placed Seabold on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right lat strain.07/01
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Estevez (RP) — Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.07/18
- 60-Day-ILKris Bubic (SP) — Bubic (elbow/shoulder) could begin a new throwing program next week, per MLB.com.07/18
- 60-Day-ILNick Mears (RP) — The Royals transferred Mears (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.07/14
- 60-Day-ILCole Ragans (SP) — Ragans underwent UCL repair surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.07/02
- 60-Day-ILJonathan India (2B) — no06/04
- 60-Day-ILJames McArthur (RP) — McArthur (elbow) underwent surgery Friday to help combat continued soreness and inflammation, MLB.com reports.05/25
- 60-Day-ILAlec Marsh (SP) — The Royals placed Marsh (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.05/08
For the Royals, it's a reminder of how thin the margins have gotten at 40-59. Salvador Perez and Lane Thomas carried the offense a day earlier, but with Witt out of the lineup and the bullpen already stretched by injuries to Carlos Estevez and Nick Mears, one bad afternoon from the rotation can spiral into a laugher fast — and Sunday, it did.