The Kansas City Royals entered Sunday’s series finale feeling good about their postseason standing.

The Royals sat right behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League Wild Card race after making up substantial ground with key victories this weekend.

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“I think that motivates us,” Royals infielder Maikel Garcia said. “Like, we are close to the wild card, and we want to be there again.”

KC earned two wins against the Minnesota Twins at home. Both victories came against pitchers who had given them trouble in the past: Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

On Sunday, the Royals faced Bailey Ober in the series finale. It was a chance to earn a series sweep and head out on the road with momentum.

However, Ober turned in a strong performance. He allowed one earned run in 5 ⅓ innings as the Twins salvaged a 5-1 win in the finale.

“We knew he was going to be heavy off-speed, but the changeup was really good,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He landed his sweeper, you know, got ahead with it and then used his changeup really effectively.”

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Ober kept the Royals off balance. He mixed in his fastball, slider and changeup to thwart the Royals. KC logged seven hits as Vinnie Pasquantino provided the lone run with an RBI single.

Twins superstar Byron Buxton began the game with a leadoff homer and first baseman Kody Clemens later connected with a two-run blast of his own.

Both homers came against Royals right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen, who allowed four runs in 5 ⅓ innings. Lorenzen suffered his 10th loss and sports a 4.63 ERA this season.

“It’s pretty similar to last start,” Lorenzen said. “Throw the ball good, and last start I wish I had one pitch back. Today, there’s about three that I made that I probably could’ve made an adjustment there. Overall, I feel like I threw the ball well. Just those homers will hurt you.”

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Despite the early hole, the Royals did bring the tying run to the plate in the eighth inning. KC had two chances with the bases loaded but failed to cash in. Pasquantino struck out swinging and Salvador Perez grounded out to end the threat.

The same scenario occurred in the ninth inning. This time, Mike Yastrzemski flew out to end the game.

“We had our opportunities but didn’t make anything out of them,” Pasquantino said. “So got to keep trying to get those opportunities and got to cash them in when we get them.”

The Royals dropped to 73-70. And they concluded a nine-game homestand with four wins after series losses to the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.

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Cole Ragans sharp in rehab start

The Royals got a great report from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday afternoon.

All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans — who is currently on a rehab assignment — recorded seven strikeouts in three innings against the Iowa Cubs.

Ragans threw 34 of 45 pitches for strikes. He navigated the Cubs lineup and struck out the side in the second inning. Additionally, Ragans had command of his signature pitches with the four-seam fastball sitting around 95 mph.

The Royals initially scheduled Ragans to pitch a few innings. Sunday’s start represented the latest step in his return from a left rotator cuff strain.

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Ragans was placed on the injured list in June. And, he has missed 76 games due to the injury this season.

AL Wild Card update

The Royals entered Sunday right behind the Seattle Mariners for the third and final American League Wild Card spot.

The teams are on a collision course for a meeting at Kauffman Stadium: The Mariners come to Kansas City from Sept. 16-18 for a three-game series.

“We want to be able to control our own fate and play the teams that you’ve got to beat,” Quatraro said. “I mean, you’ve got to try to beat everybody, clearly. But, you know, what could be more fun than playing meaningful games for the last few weeks of the season?”

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The Mariners took care of business Sunday. The club defeated the Atlanta Braves 18-2 at Truist Park. They remain in sole possession of the final wild-card spot heading into next week.

The Royals dropped two games back of the Mariners. KC will begin a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday at Progressive Field. Then they’ll play three games in Philadelphia before returning home.

The Mariners return home to host the St. Louis Cardinals. And the Guardians are just a half-game behind the Royals — 2 1/2 behind the Mariners — heading into Monday’s contest.

“I just know that we’re still in this fight,” Pasquantino said. “So, we’re going to show up ready to go tomorrow. You know, we talk about momentum a lot. Is it real or is it not? Whatever it is, what we know is we have a game tomorrow in Cleveland, and we are going to be ready for it.”

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What’s next: The Royals begin a four-game road series against the Cleveland Guardians. KC rookie starter Ryan Bergert (2-1, 2.61 ERA) will pitch on Monday night opposite fellow righty Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.79 ERA).