For the second time in the series, the Royals had the bases loaded with no one out and failed to score a run, and a three-run home run off the bat of Luis Garcia Jr. ensured Royals starter Michael Wacha a three-run lead was squandered by one pitch. This game had all the makings of a defeat in the pit of your stomach. Luckily, the bullpen stayed hot and Adam Frazier played hero in the ninth, defeating Washington in a 7-4 victory.

Kansas City improves to 85-74 while the Nationals fall to 69-90. The Royals’ magic number has dropped to two and could be as low as one by the end of the day.

Washington scored first after Maikel Garcia misplayed a popup on the first play, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead, but the Royals’ offense kept the line moving early. Hunter Renfroe responded to Washington’s first frame with a two-out solo home run in the next half of the inning, tying the game at 1-1.

Kansas City wasn’t done yet, scoring three more runs in the next inning. The Royals’ first six batters reached, starting with Paul DeJong’s walk, followed by five consecutive singles. The final hit came off Yuli Gurriel’s bat, giving Kansas City a 4-1 lead, and with no one out, Vance Wilson held Bobby Witt Jr. at third base.

Freddy Fermin grounded out to the plate for a powerful out before Renfroe popped out for the second out. Garcia flied out to end the inning and leave the bases loaded, a common theme in the Royals’ offense of late.

Washington took advantage of the missed opportunity in the very next inning. After Dylan Crews struck out in the 3rd inning, the next two Nats reached on a walk and single. Garcia Jr. then planted a 0-1 hanging changeup from Wacha in the left-center field spots, tying the game at 4-4.

The home run landed on a lot of empty pitches, which makes this tweet from former Kansas City Star writer Andy McCullough all the more true.

After the home run, both offenses were quiet, with just three combined hits spread over the next five innings. Unfortunately for the Royals, they all belonged to the Nationals. Washington starter Patrick Corbin gave his team 2.1 hitless innings after his tough third inning, followed by 1.2 more from Derek Law and Jose Ferrer.

Luckily, Kansas City’s bullpen stayed hot and delivered three scoreless innings of its own to bring in Wacha, who was serviceable if not uninspiring except for his one hiccup in an inning. The right-hander gave up three earned runs on the afternoon, all on Garcia Jr.’s home run.

The bullpen kept the Royals in the game long enough to give the offense a chance against Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, which proved to be a deciding factor in the game. Finnegan began his outing with a walk by MJ Melendez, the first of four consecutive left-handed pinch-hitters. Dairon Blanco replaced Melendez on the bases and Delay stole second base before Michael Massey walked.

Kyle Isbel came into the game in place of DeJong. He saw a throw that spun down the right field line to advance the runners. Pinch-hitter Frazier then saved the day by hitting an 0-2 high fastball to left field, driving in both runners and giving Kansas City a 6-4 lead. He then took second and scored on Salvador Perez’s two-out single, increasing the lead to 7-4.

Lucas Erceg came into the game with a save and threw a pitch for the third straight day for the first time in his career. He singled against the Nationals to end the game and secure the win.

We head to Atlanta and have a chance to go to the postseason for the first time since 2015.

Next: Royals at Braves, Friday, September 27, 6:20 p.m. CDT, Truist Park. RHP Brady Singer (9-12, 3.73 ERA) vs. TBD.