Tolbert's Record Overshadows Mets-Royals Finale
Kansas City's Tyler Tolbert matched a mark from 1902 as two last-place clubs close out a series in Queens.
Tyler Tolbert tied a 124-year-old record on Tuesday, going 5-for-6 with hits in 12 straight plate appearances as the Royals beat the Mets 16-12. He joined Johnny Kling (1902) and Walt Dropo (1952) in the record book. The finale between two last-place clubs plays out Wednesday under that shadow, with Steven Cruz opening for Kansas City and Christian Scott starting for New York.
Kansas City has won three straight coming into Queens, and Tolbert's night was the exclamation point. He reached base in all six plate appearances, hitting safely in five, and the Royals' bullpen held on after New York clawed back from an early deficit. The 16-12 final was the kind of game that makes a last-place series opener worth remembering.
The finale carries none of that record-book drama. Steven Cruz opens for Kansas City at 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA, working behind a Royals defense that has been shaky on the road (17-28). Christian Scott takes the ball for New York at 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA, the better number in a matchup that otherwise says little about where either team is headed.
Both clubs sit at 38-54, both fifth in their divisions, and neither has real October math left to chase. Juan soto remains the one constant worth watching, leading the National League in OBP and OPS+, but this getaway day is about closing a series that already delivered its headline two days early.