Watch how Bobby Witt Jr.’s ridiculous speed won Kansas City Royals game vs. Twins
The Kansas City Royals needed an offensive spark. For much of Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, it seemed unlikely.
Until the eighth inning.
The Royals took advantage of an error from Twins reliever Griffin Jax. He threw wildly toward first base after Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. hit a comebacker to the mound.
The baseball flew past Twins first baseman Ty France. Witt, who has a 29.8 feet/second sprint speed this season, raced to second ... then to third, sliding to beat a throw well off the bag.
“I don’t know how many guys would get to third there,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And realistically, the only reason that play even happened was because Jax thought he had to hurry to get Bobby and just didn’t make a good throw.”
Later, Witt scored on a soft groundout from Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. KC eked out a 2-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium for its third consecutive win.
“He took over that game like very few people can do,” Pasquantino said. “And I don’t mean in a slugging percentage way or anything like that. I mean in a pure, ‘Oh my God, he is so fast.’ Just the pressure. Obviously, we play them a lot, so they know he is putting pressure on you all the time.”
Indeed, Witt’s speed was the story. And he described his sprint to third in his on-field interview with FanDuel Sports Network’s Joel Goldberg.
“It’s more like you’re mad running to first because you just swung at that pitch and grounded out,” Witt said. “(I was going first to third) right when I saw it hit over there. I know if I’m on second or third for Vinnie he’s going to drive me in.”
This season, the Royals have found a way to manufacture runs. The offense has been inconsistent, but different players have contributed in key moments.
Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel shined in Monday’s game. Earlier this season, third baseman Maikel Garcia helped fuel the offensive production.
Pasquantino was the hero Tuesday. Witt scored both runs and they each helped preserve a dominant outing from Royals starter Cole Ragans.
Ragans struck out 11 batters in six innings. He didn’t factor into the decision but helped save the Royals bullpen that was taxed in recent days.
“Our big thing is to get ahead of guys,” Ragans said. “You know, first-pitch strike to get ahead of guys, that’s my biggest thing right now. ... Good things usually happen when you do that.”
The Royals turned to relievers John Schreiber, Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV to shut the door. Schreiber earned the victory and Lynch picked up his second career save.
KC improved to 6-5.
“That’s a Bobby Witt Jr. special right there,” Pasquantino said. “We are lucky to have him.”
Missed the start of the series?
- Game 1: Kyle Isbel propels Royals to series-opening victory
- Top Honor: Michael Lorenzen reaches 10 years of MLB service time
Mark Canha exits with hip injury
Royals outfielder Mark Canha got the start in left field Tuesday. However, he left the game early due to left hip soreness.
In the fifth inning, Canha collided with the outfield wall as he attempted to make a leaping catch to rob Twins outfielder Harrison Bader. Canha ran back and got a glove on the baseball, but it fell to the ground.
Bader recorded an RBI single. Canha stayed in to finish the fifth inning before being subbed out for fellow outfielder Hunter Renfroe.
Renfroe took over in right field as MJ Melendez slid over to left. After the game, Quatraro confirmed that Canha did sustain the injury on the defensive attempt.
“He was just banged up from hitting the wall a little bit,” Quatraro said.
Canha finished 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
What’s next: The Royals continue their four-game series against the Twins. On Wednesday, Royals right-hander Seth Lugo will make his third start against Twins veteran Joe Ryan at Kauffman Stadium.
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM.
