These were the Royals' best wins in 2019

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals’ 2019 season certainly didn’t pan out as planned -- they lost 103 games. But the club had several pivotal games that highlighted the year.

Here were their five best wins:

1) Royals send Yost out on top
Sept. 29 vs. Twins

The Royals rallied from 4-3 down to win, 5-4, on a walk-off sacrifice fly from Brett Phillips in the ninth inning on the last day of the season. This was the perfect way to send out manager Ned Yost, who retired after last season following 10 years in Kansas City.

What does it tell us about 2020?
It may not have seemed like a big deal at the time, but this is the type of win the Royals will be counting on moving forward in their rebuild. And this is especially true for the hero, Phillips, who has been a bit of a disappointment since coming over from Milwaukee in the Mike Moustakas trade in 2018. Phillips needs to be a big part of the Royals' future. He’s athletic, energetic and has the skill set for Kauffman Stadium. Phillips is out of Minor League options in 2020 and needs to prove that he can contribute, as he did in the 2019 season finale.

2) Soler sets a record; O'Hearn walks it off
Sept. 3 vs. Tigers

The Royals rallied to beat the Tigers, 6-5, in a walk-off win in the ninth when pinch-hitter Ryan O’Hearn blasted an opposite-field home run on the first pitch he saw from Tigers reliever Zac Reininger. This was a gutsy effort, considering that the Royals had given up 3-1 and 5-4 leads.

What does it tell us about 2020?
Long before the O’Hearn heroics, Jorge Soler blasted his 39th home run, setting a franchise record for home runs in a single season, breaking Moustakas’ mark of 38. That is the key here -- O’Hearn certainly could be part of the Royals’ future, but Soler most definitely is. The long-criticized trade for Soler, in which the Royals sent closer Wade Davis to the Cubs in 2016, finally has come to fruition, and Soler seems ticketed for a long-term deal and a solid future in Kansas City.

3) Royals mean business in the pennant chase
June 25 at Indians

The Royals stunned the Progressive Field faithful with a five-run ninth inning to win, 8-6, in a game that mattered far more to the Indians than the Royals. This was the type of game that let the American League know that the Royals simply weren’t going to lay down despite their record and their rebuilding process.

What does it tell us about 2020?
Hunter Dozier, who had a breakthrough season in 2019, delivered in the clutch against the Indians’ best: closer Brad Hand. Dozier blasted his first career grand slam in the ninth to pull out the victory. If the Royals are going to return to prominence, it will be moments like these that give Dozier and his teammates the confidence to be competitive again. To the Royals, this win in June felt like a postseason victory.

4) Royals sluggers shine brightest
Aug. 11 at Tigers

The Royals flexed their muscles on this afternoon at Comerica Park, showing. Dozier and Soler, who each crushed two homers in a 10-2 win. Dozier also had a triple, and Whit Merrifield delivered a home run. All of the important aspects of the Royals fired in unison.

What does it tell us about 2020
Yost beamed afterward about the firepower this offense can have going forward. Dozier and Soler in the middle of the lineup can be as good as any in the division. Dozier and Soler likely are only to get better as well. If there was a game to demonstrate just how scary this offense can be, this was it.

5) Montgomery's mastery
Aug. 10 at Tigers

The beauty of this one was a masterful performance by left-hander Mike Montgomery, who showed how good he can be when he brings his best. Montgomery struck out a career-high 12 through seven shutout innings and gave up just four hits in a 7-0 win.

What does it tell us about 2020?
The Royals got Montgomery ahead of the Trade Deadline from the Cubs for Martín Maldonado, and Montgomery could be a huge asset ahead of the 2020 Deadline. Using an effective cutter and slider, Montgomery baffled the Tigers in a dominating performance. For a team rebuilding such as the Royals, Montgomery could bring a huge trade chip come next August.