Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a game against the Royals on Thursday, July 18, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

  • Peter Aiken, Imagn Images

Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) is congratulated by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) after scoring in the second inning of a game against the Cardinals on Thursday, July 18, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

  • Peter Aiken, Imagn Images
  • Email
  • Copy Link

KANSAS CITY — The ugliest inning of the season came early in a game that only got better for the Cardinals because it could not get any worse.

People are also reading…

  • Savannah Guthrie shares new message about missing mother Nancy Guthrie
  • Interstate through downtown St. Louis closing after large sinkhole opens on street below
  • Worthy: Chaim Bloom, Cardinals will have to sell at this MLB trade deadline
  • After demotion, what's next for Nolan Gorman with Blaze Jordan at third: Cardinals Extra
  • I-44 will remain closed 'through at least next weekend' because of large sinkhole
  • Wentzville judge mocked defendants on social media, should be removed, panel says
  • Splash pad closed at St. Charles County park in response to injury concerns
  • People with guns run through West County Center. Vehicles shot in parking lot
  • Cardinals promote Blaze Jordan, send Nolan Gorman to Class AAA in series of roster moves
  • Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box wins James Beard award
  • McClellan: My friend died, but the robots didn't get the message
  • 'We're dangerous out there': Did Cardinals radically change lineup's depth? Why the wait?
  • Straub's Market location in the Central West End is for sale
  • Ballwin man gets almost 300 years in prison for raping 7 women
  • WashU hit with $732,000 damage award in age discrimination verdict

Another Caray, this time Stefan, about to step into Cardinals' broadcast booth: Media Views

Hochman: We may be, but here’s why Cardinals aren’t concerned with Matthew Liberatore

Cardinals’ Alec Burleson feels there’s more to ‘work through’ during streak

Photos: Royals jump on Cardinals early to take first game of series

Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter

Sent weekly directly to your inbox!

Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Lead baseball writer

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Source: STLtoday.com