These 2 defensive gems helped preserve Kris Bubic’s stellar start against Giants
Kansas City Royals starter Kris Bubic was impressive on Monday night against the San Francisco Giants.
The 27-year-old left-handed pitcher took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Oracle Park, further solidifying his case for an All-Star nomination this summer.
The Royals’ defense was equally impressive. Bubic got key defensive performances from teammates Vinnie Pasquantino and Bobby Witt Jr. as the Royals (27-22) won 3-1.
Here is a look at those critical plays:
Pasquantino makes diving catch
Bubic cruised throughout the game. He found ways to work out of trouble whenever it presented itself.
In the fifth inning, however, he needed some help from his stalwart first baseman.
After dueling with San Francisco’s Luis Matos, Bubic threw a 93 mph fastball the outfielder couldn’t refuse. Matos lined the ball toward Pasquantino, who made a diving catch to his glove-side.
“I got some good defensive plays and quick outs early to help me settle in,” Bubic said.
Pasquantino did what he could to field his position. And not long after that, in the eighth inning, he hit a go-ahead two-run homer to help Bubic secure the victory.
“Just doing my job,” Pasquantino said. “I just try to make every play I can and give it all I got and it worked out tonight. I’m happy with it. Going to get back out there tomorrow and try to do it again.”
Pasquantino’s dive was one of several defensive highlights. The Royals also got terrific glovework from Salvador Perez behind the plate.
Witt starts double play
Despite losing the no-hit bid — when an error charged to second baseman Michael Massey was later changed to a hit — Bubic was still on the hook as KC’s pitcher of record.
Bubic encountered some trouble in the seventh inning. With runners on second and third, the Royals pulled in their infield to keep a run from scoring. Willy Adames had drawn a walk and Casey Schmitt had doubled.
Tyler Fitzgerald came to the plate with a prime scoring opportunity at hand. He saw three pitches and rifled an 82.6 mph sweeper toward Witt at shortstop.
Witt snared the line drive and made an instinctive play, tossing the baseball to third baseman Maikel Garcia.
Garcia touched the bag before Adames, who broke for home on contact, could return safely to the bag. Bubic had gotten a double play to extinguish the threat.
“That’s one of those plays where it’s kind of reactionary,” Witt said. “Me and Maikel have kind of played the left side of the infield for a while now. We just kind of know each other.
“Right when I caught it, the first thing you do is make sure you get one out. The next one is kind of a bonus. It was great to do that and get out of the inning.”
That sort of defensive effort helped Bubic pitch comfortably and efficiently all evening long.
“Bobby is, more often than not, in the right spot to make a play,” Bubic said. “And you know, great players make great plays.
“Maikel being there too — our left side of the infield, you can put them up against anybody in the league, so it’s great to be able to do that.”
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 5:45 AM.
