KC Royals clinch first winning season since 2015 with Saturday’s victory over Pirates
For the first time since the 2015 campaign, the Kansas City Royals will finish the regular season with a winning record.
The Royals improved to 82-67 after a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon. The win clinched a series victory and ensured the Royals will finish their six-game road trip with at least a split.
KC star Bobby Witt Jr. added to his American League MVP résumé at PNC Park. He hit his 31st home run and reached 100 RBIs for the first time in his career. The Royals now have two players with 100 or more RBIs this season.
“Last year, we knew what our team was capable of doing just because of what we had,” Witt said. “We just had to prove ourselves right. We didn’t want to try to prove everyone else wrong.
“Earlier this year, people were already saying, ‘Oh, it’s the same Royals.’ Hearing that, we knew what we were able to do. This clubhouse is tight in here. We knew we were going to go out there and win some games.”
Witt finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. He added a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning as the Royals tacked on two runs in the frame. Third baseman Maikel Garcia added an RBI double after Adam Frazier began the inning with a leadoff triple.
Later, Witt hit an RBI double to extend the Royals’ lead to 5-1.
Royals right-handed starter Michael Wacha protected the early lead. He continued a string of terrific starts from the pitching staff.
Wacha allowed one run in five innings on Saturday. He registered eight strikeouts and issued three walks. Royals starters have collected 19 strikeouts through two games of the weekend series.
“I wish I was able to go a little deeper,” Wacha said. “I was excited to be able to pitch out of some jams. Hold them to that one run there in that fifth inning.”
The Pirates scored in the fifth inning. Star outfielder Oneil Cruz hit an RBI single to cut into the Royals lead. However, KC quickly got the run back after catcher Freddy Fermin reached on an error by Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo.
Royals second baseman Michael Massey scored on the play. He began the sixth inning with a leadoff double.
“We always feel good when Wacha is on the mound,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, they made him work for everything today. So it was good to get ahead.”
Wacha picked up his 13th win this season. He has five wins in his last seven outings during a recent hot streak.
Pirates starter Mitch Keller took the loss. He is now 11-10 after allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings.
The Pirates had a bases-loaded opportunity in the eighth. However, Royals reliever Kris Bubic struck out pinch hitter Joey Bart and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa to end the threat.
“I got ahead in the count to both guys, so that really helped,” Bubic said. “We had a couple different options of different pitch types that I have to go to. And, I was able to execute when we got to two strikes.”
Pittsburgh fell to 70-78 after dropping the first two games of the series.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Game 1: Royals avoid losing season after Friday’s victory against Pirates
Injury Update: Royals place right-handed reliever Chris Stratton on 15-day injured list
Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Royals take advantage of early mistakes
The Pirates committed two errors in the game. In the second inning, Garcia reached base after infielder Nick Gonzales booted a baseball.
Fermin got aboard after Triolo’s error and Cruz misplayed some line drives in center field throughout the game.
The Royals took advantage of the extra outs. Witt was awarded a double after an official scoring change in the seventh inning. The play granted him his 102nd RBI of the season.
KC did not commit an error in the game. The clean defensive effort helped Wacha and the bullpen limit Pittsburgh to one run.
Now 82 victories ... and counting
The Royals continue to add new chapters to their storybook season.
With their 82nd victory, 2024 Royals became just the fifth KC team since 2000 to reach the milestone.
The 2015 Royals were the last team to accomplish a winning season. The club famously won the World Series that year. Those Royals finished 95-67 and won the AL Central.
It’s not likely the 2024 Royals will reach 95 victories. However, they have a decent chance of catching the Cleveland Guardians in the divisional race. The Royals are 2 ½ games behind the Guardians after Saturday’s victory.
The number could fall lower should the Guardians lose to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night.
What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule:
The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Pirates. On Sunday, KC right-hander Brady Singer will start at PNC Park.
Singer seeks his 10th victory of the season. In his last start, Singer allowed three earned runs in five innings against the New York Yankees.
The Pirates will start right-hander Jared Jones in the series finale. He owns a 3.82 ERA in 19 starts this year.
This story was originally published September 14, 2024 at 3:05 PM.
