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Luke Maile homers vs Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez in first 2026 at-bat
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- Luke Maile homers vs Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez in first 2026 at-bat
Royals catcher Luke Maile 's first plate appearance of the 2026 MLB season was a memorable one, against Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez .
Maile, a Covington Catholic High School graduate who played for the Cincinnati Reds for two seasons, hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning off of Sánchez in Kansas City to give the Royals an early 6-1 lead.
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The Royals selected Maile , 35, from Triple-A Omaha on July 2.
The Royals signed Maile to a minor-league deal in 2025 after he batted .210 with eight home runs over two seasons with the Reds in 2023 and 2024.
A ceremony is held for the 250th Birthday of the United States of America ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) signs autographs for fans ahead of the MLB game with the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
World War II veteran David W. Lee throws the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) shakes the hand of World War II veteran David W. Lee after the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene (21) enters the field ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene (21) throws a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) gestures while running the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brandon Young (63) throws a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) celebrates after advancing to second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Spencer Steer (7) hits a single in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Spencer Steer (7) advances the bases to score in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) steals third base in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) hits a RBI single in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) steals second base in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) tags out Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) in the third inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Julian Garcia (57) throws a pitch in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
A fan holds up American flags during a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder (25) throws a pitch in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) tags out Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) reacts after missing a swing in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds Chase Burns watches the game from the dugout in the ninth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) at the conclusion of the ninth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Orioles won 8-5.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
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Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
A ceremony is held for the 250th Birthday of the United States of America ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
1
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
A ceremony is held for the 250th Birthday of the United States of America ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
2
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Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) signs autographs for fans ahead of the MLB game with the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
3
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Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
World War II veteran David W. Lee throws the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
4
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) shakes the hand of World War II veteran David W. Lee after the ceremonial first pitch ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
5
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene (21) enters the field ahead of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
6
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene (21) throws a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
7
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
8
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) gestures while running the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
9
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brandon Young (63) throws a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
10
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) celebrates after advancing to second base in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
11
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Spencer Steer (7) hits a single in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
12
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Spencer Steer (7) advances the bases to score in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
13
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) steals third base in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
14
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) hits a RBI single in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
15
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) steals second base in the second inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
16
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) tags out Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) in the third inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
17
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Julian Garcia (57) throws a pitch in the sixth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
18
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
A fan holds up American flags during a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
19
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder (25) throws a pitch in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
20
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) tags out Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
21
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) reacts after missing a swing in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
22
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds Chase Burns watches the game from the dugout in the ninth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
23
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) at the conclusion of the ninth inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Orioles won 8-5.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
24
/24
Cincinnati Reds play Baltimore Orioles for Fourth of July. See photos
Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
Maile batted .244 in 54 plate appearances for the Royals in 2025.
Social media reactions to Maile's blast:
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Luke Maile's first plate appearance of the 2026 MLB season resulted in a three-run home run off of Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Luke Maile homers vs Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez in first 2026 at-bat
