Bobby Witt Jr. makes All-Star case, but Royals lose series opener in Seattle
Bobby Witt Jr. is looking to punch his ticket to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.
But he needs some help.
Witt, 25, has advanced to the second phase of All-Star fan voting. He is locked in a tight battle with Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson. Both need fan support in order to be named the American League starter at the position for the July 15 game at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Fans can vote at MLB.com. Each vote will count once, and the second phase runs through Wednesday.
Witt is hoping to play in his second All-Star Game. And he made a strong case Monday in the Royals’ 6-2 loss to the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
On a night the Royals managed just four hits, Witt recorded two RBIs. He went 1-for-4 Monday and has eight hits in his last six games.
The Royals dropped their sixth game in seven days. Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena hit two home runs and finished the series opener 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
The Royals (39-46) struggled at the plate again. Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez — KC’s Nos. 3-5 hitters — were a combined 0-for-12.
“Guys want to win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro told local media in Seattle. “They are disappointed, but they are trying to fight their butts off and they are competing. It’s just not happening for us right now, as it’s a tough game.”
Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby allowed one earned run across six innings. He earned his second victory in his ninth start of the year, striking out five.
Seattle (44-40) has won three of its last four. The Mariners hold a 5 1/2-game game over the Royals in the AL Wild Card standings.
Here are a few more takeaways from Monday’s game:
Michael Wacha falters late
Wacha had trouble navigating the Mariners’ lineup. In the fifth inning, he allowed four runs on four hits, with Arozarena inflicting the major damage.
Arozarena belted a 94.5 mph fastball that Wacha left hanging at the top of the strike zone. The home run traveled 401 feet over the center-field wall and gave Seattle a four-run lead.
“I felt like I was making pretty good pitches all night,” Wacha told reporters in Seattle, via FanDuel Sports Kansas City. “I got two outs that one inning and gave up the solo shot to Randy (Arozarena).”
Earlier in the game, Arozarena hit his 100th career home run. He was responsible for four of the five runs on Wacha’s ledger.
“He had one rough inning,” Quatraro said. “Randy hit a home run on a cutter, I think, the first time. Then (they had) a bunch of soft contact that found holes.”
Wacha dropped to 4-8 this season. He allowed five earned runs, issuing two walks and striking out a batter.
Cal Raleigh extends HR lead
Mariners star Cal Raleigh continues to put together an MVP-worthy season.
In the seventh inning, the Seattle catcher stroked his MLB-leading 33rd home run. Facing Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV, he drilled a knuckle-curve over the wall in right field.
In the American League home run race, Raleigh currently leads reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees by three. Judge has 30.
Raleigh is also closing in on Perez’s single-season record for most homers by a catcher. Perez hit 48 in 2021.
What’s next: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Mariners on Tuesday night. Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.91 ERA) draws the start opposite Seattle right-hander Emerson Hancock (3-4, 5.30 ERA).
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM.
