How the Kansas City Royals’ bats came alive on Sunday: Witt’s swing ‘started it’
Bobby Witt Jr. relayed a message to Kansas City Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney after Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
“I’m like, ‘We’ll get you some runs,’’’ Witt told Sweeney. “’I promise that.’”
Witt kept his promise on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. He finished 3-for-5 and came a double shy of hitting for the cycle, a feat last accomplished by a Royals player in 1990 (Hall of Famer George Brett).
Witt belted his first home run this season as the Royals totaled five homers in a 11-0 rout of the Minnesota Twins.
The offense delivered after scoring just two runs in the series’ first two games. Royals captain Salvador Perez set the tone in the first inning with a three-run homer to drive in Witt and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.
The Royals took a 3-0 lead and didn’t look back. Every starter reached base in the blowout victory. Perez had four RBIs and Kyle Isbel and Maikel Garcia hit back-to-back homers.
Nelson Velazquez also went deep for the first time this season. The offensive display was needed after the Royals’ starting pitchers had been superb all series long.
Opening day starter Cole Ragans, Saturday starter Seth Lugo and Singer combined to allow the Twins just two runs in three games. Together, they truck out 23 batters in 19 innings
“Bobby is the one that his swing kind of started it ...” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He got on top of that fastball for the base hit (in the first inning). Vinnie worked a good at-bat. Salvy laid off a couple of pitches out of the (strike) zone. I believe that was a changeup he hit for the home run and that shows his power.”
Five different Royals players homered Sunday. That matched a club record that’s occurred six times, most recently on July 27, 2020.
The Royals scored six runs in the second inning, batting around and helping Singer record his first victory of 2024. He pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 10.
He credited the offense for enabling him to settle into the game.
“They put together some really good at-bats, and Salvy coming in there with the homer sets the tone,” Singer said. “I mean, this offense is really good and really incredible. So that just shows what we can do.”
The Royals will now seek to keep their momentum going on the road. Kansas City begins a three-game series against the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Monday.
Royals newcomer Michael Wacha will make his debut as KC’s starting pitcher against Orioles counterpart Dean Kremer.
“Anytime we win, it’s good for us and good for everybody,” Perez said. “You know, happy flight and hopefully we can win the series in Baltimore.”
