KANSAS CITY -- The best way to cool down on a hot, oppressive mid-August day in Kansas City is to take a splash in the fountains.
Jonathan India sent a game-tying, 451-foot home run kerplunking into the Kauffman Stadium fountains in the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon, marking the start of a 6-2 comeback victory over the White Sox that gave the Royals a weekend series sweep.
The win gave the Royals their fourth consecutive series sweep -- 14 straight games -- over the White Sox at The K since the start of last season, a stretch in which they’ve outscored the Sox 71-17.
Kansas City finished the weekend exactly where it began in the standings, four games back of the third American League Wild Card spot. The Royals did exactly all they could, though, by picking up three wins and moving to two games above .500 (63-61).
“We’re fighting for a playoff spot and chasing teams,” India said. “All we can do is keep winning ballgames. Worry about ourselves, and that’s it.”
Sunday’s game did not look like it was going to go the way it did, though. Despite three walks, the Royals did not record a hit against White Sox starter Davis Martin until Mike Yastrzemski doubled in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out.
An inning later, Martin was out of the game, and India had energized the Royals' dugout with the homer that matched his longest career distance (May 14, 2021).
“You start to feel a little momentum,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Guys are feeling it a little bit. Now, we're back in it.”
There has been so much that has changed about this Royals team in the past two weeks, from the actual roster to the production the team is getting from its Trade Deadline acquisitions.
Even the belief from an offense that has struggled all season is different; a two-run deficit in the seventh inning doesn’t feel like much with a lineup that has performed at a much better clip in the second half.
No one has epitomized those changes more than India.
Acquired this offseason to be the Royals’ leadoff hitter, India has not played up to his standards or what the Royals expected of the 28-year-old in 2025. On Aug. 6, India was moved out of the leadoff spot in favor of the left-handed Yastrzemski against righty starters. Since moving down to the Nos. 6 or 7 spots, India recorded a hit in six of eight games, during which he’s slashing .267/.353/.600 (8-for-30) with three home runs and eight RBIs.
At the beginning of this current 10-game homestand earlier this week, India also switched up his walk-up song -- to “Yukon” off the new Justin Bieber album, at the request of his wife -- and stole a pair of pants from Royals starter Cole Ragans, whose locker is two down from India’s in the Royals’ home clubhouse.
India had been wearing tighter pants at the knees for what felt like forever, he said, and was looking for a change. Baggier pants are more comfortable in this heat, too.
“Yeah, I think I’m going to stick with those for a bit,” India said, laughing.
Whether his current success is due to the song, the pants or the new spot in the lineup, India can’t say. All that matters is that he’s seeing success.
“I’m so for the team now, I’m just like, ‘I want to win,’” India said. “I don’t think it’s the lineup change or anything. I think it’s just wanting to win ballgames at any cost.”
India’s homer flipped a sluggish game into a brand new one for the Royals, who put together a four-run eighth inning to seal the victory. Maikel Garcia’s RBI single was the go-ahead knock, allowing Bobby Witt Jr. -- who had just stolen his 32nd base of the season -- to score from second.
“Everybody was fired up after India’s homer,” Garcia said. “No-hitter to tying it in the seventh, that’s pretty sweet for us.”
And it backed another gem from the pitching staff. Starter Ryan Bergert allowed two runs (one earned) across 5 1/3 innings, the third consecutive start he’s allowed two or fewer runs with the Royals since they picked the rookie up from the Padres at the Trade Deadline.
As Bergert departed in the sixth inning with a runner on first and the Royals trailing by two, Salvador Perez reassured the righty that run support was coming.
“Salvy was like, ‘Don’t worry about it, we’ll get some runs for you. Don’t sweat it,’” Bergert said.
And who would doubt the Royals’ captain?