Royals eliminated by Yankees in 4 games in ALDS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — —

UPDATE, 10:25 p.m. | Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that the team was not satisfied with how the season ended Thursday despite a 30-win improvement and playoff appearance.

UPDATE, 9:45 p.m. | The Kansas City Royals' season is over after the team was eliminated from postseason play with a loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday.

UPDATE, 9:33 p.m. | The Royals are down to their final three outs of the season in Kansas City.

UPDATE, 9:11 p.m. | Kyle Isbel is just inches away from a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh inning as the deficit for the Royals is still two.

UPDATE, 8:55 p.m. | Vinnie Pasquantino gets a key RBI double on his 27th birthday to finally put the Royals on the scoreboard and give them life in the bottom of the sixth inning.

UPDATE, 8:40 p.m. | Giancarlo Stanton gets an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning, making it 3-0 Yankees.

UPDATE, 8:19 p.m. | The Yankees tacked on a second run in the top of the fifth inning to push their lead to 2-0.

UPDATE, 7:13 p.m. | It only takes three pitches by Michael Wacha for the Yankees to pounce on the Royals and go up 1-0.

UPDATE, 6:15 p.m. | Royals 2B Michael Massey lauded the Kauffman Stadium crowd and said teammate Will Smith pointed out that he's "seen the Royals win two games in a row" before heading into ALDS Game 4.

UPDATE, 4:35 p.m. | Royals manager Matt Quatraro talks about how he is preparing the team ahead of a pivotal Game 4.

UPDATE, 3:37 p.m. | The only Royals hurler on the team's ALDS roster to ever pitch in the World Series will get the ball to start tonight's game as Kansas City aims to force a winner-take-all battle Saturday in the Bronx.

“Whether it's a clinching game or it's an elimination game, it's a must-win in my mind either way,” Michael Wacha said before Game 3 on Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium. “I want to go out there and give our guys a chance to win a ballgame just like any other start throughout the season. This one is no different. I want to get out there, hopefully go deep (into the game), and give our guys a chance to win a ballgame.”

UPDATE, 3 p.m. | KSHB 41's Tod Palmer is outside of Kauffman Stadium where New York Yankees players arrived ahead of tonight's game.

UPDATE, 2 p.m. | Here's a look at the Royals lineup for tonight:

UPDATE, 1 p.m. | For tonight's game, gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:50 p.m. so they don't miss pregame festivities.