KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — In a game defined by dominant pitching and missed opportunities, it was a single swing that finally broke the deadlock. Leody Taveras launched a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the 12th inning, propelling the Baltimore Orioles to a wild 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The marathon contest, which lasted 3 hours and 50 minutes before an announced crowd of 13,589, saw both teams squander numerous chances before Taveras delivered the decisive blow. His one-out slam to center field off reliever Alex Lange turned a tense 2-1 Baltimore lead into a commanding 6-1 advantage. The Orioles added another run later in the inning, which proved crucial.

The Royals, refusing to go quietly, answered with three runs in the bottom of the 12th on a two-out, three-run double by pinch-hitter Nick Loftin. But with the potential tying run at the plate, Orioles reliever Anthony Nunez struck out Kyle Isbel to end the game, stranding the bases loaded and sealing a chaotic win.

For the first nine innings, the story was pitching and frustration. Royals starter Seth Lugo was magnificent, holding the Orioles to just one hit over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven. Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish was nearly as effective, weaving through constant traffic by limiting Kansas City to one run despite allowing 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Royals’ lone early run came on a second-inning solo home run by Jac Caglianone.

Kansas City consistently threatened, putting multiple runners on base in five of the first six innings, but went 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 14 men on base through the first nine frames. Baltimore’s bullpen, led by scoreless outings from Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia, and Ryan Helsley, repeatedly slammed the door. Helsley struck out two in a perfect ninth to force extras.

The Orioles, stifled for eight innings, finally broke through against the Royals’ bullpen in the ninth. A two-out RBI single by Samuel Basallo scored the automatic runner, giving Baltimore a 1-0 lead. Helsley’s shutdown bottom half sent the game to extra innings.

In the 11th, Baltimore pushed ahead again when Dylan Beavers’ RBI single scored the automatic runner. But Kansas City responded immediately in the bottom half, with Bobby Witt Jr. delivering a clutch two-out single to plate Isaac Collins and knot the game at 2-2, setting the stage for the 12th-inning fireworks.

Taveras, who entered the game in a 1-for-12 slump, finished 1 for 5 with the four RBIs from his grand slam, the most important hit on a night where the Orioles managed only six total. Basallo had two hits and two RBIs. For Kansas City, Loftin’s late double gave him three RBIs, while Maikel Garcia went 4 for 6. The Royals out-hit the Orioles 14 to 6 but could not convert their opportunities.

Nunez (1-0) earned the win despite allowing the three 12th-inning runs, pitching two innings of relief. Lange (0-2) took the loss after surrendering Taveras’ grand slam.

The victory improved Baltimore to 11-12, while Kansas City fell to 7-16. The most important part of the game was undoubtedly the top of the 12th inning, where Taveras’ grand slam transformed a one-run nail-biter into a seemingly secure lead, a burst of offense that stood in stark contrast to the previous 11 innings of offensive struggle and ultimately provided the necessary cushion to survive Kansas City’s final rally.

The teams continue their three-game series Tuesday night.