URGENT UPDATE: Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino left Saturday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox due to a heat-related illness, shortly after striking out in the first inning. The game, held on July 29, 2023, took place under sweltering conditions with a game-time temperature of 94 degrees.
Pasquantino reported feeling disoriented during the game. “I kind of blacked out,” he revealed post-game. “I wasn’t very comfortable. I basically couldn’t slow my heart rate down.” Just moments after his strikeout, he experienced severe nausea, stating, “five seconds after I struck out, I puked all over the bathroom.”
In his absence, left fielder Nick Loftin transitioned to first base, allowing John Rave to step in as the new left fielder and bat third in the order. Rave made an immediate impact, hitting a home run in his first at-bat and contributing a total of two hits and two runs scored, showcasing remarkable readiness despite the unexpected change.
“I try to show up to the park every day and prepare the same way, whether I’m in there or not,” Rave said. “It usually doesn’t happen that early in the game. But I was ready to go.” His performance drew praise from manager Matt Quatraro, who noted Rave’s crucial run scored from first base on a double by Maikel Garcia, saying, “For him to score from first was absolutely huge.”
Pasquantino, who leads the team with 80 RBIs and is tied for the lead with 22 home runs, aims to be in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale, pending clearance from medical protocols. “I prepared myself well for the game today,” he explained. “It just hit me. I was hydrated going into the game, and it just snuck up on me.”
As the Royals look to secure their position in the standings, Pasquantino’s health remains a priority. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can return to the field in tomorrow’s matchup. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
