Bobby Witt Jr. records two RBIs in historic finish at 2025 MLB All-Star Game
The Kansas City Royals trio of Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Kris Bubic took the field together during the sixth inning of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game.
And they were promptly thrust into the middle of the action.
Witt took his customary shortstop position for the American League team at Truist Park in Atlanta. He was challenged with a deep ground ball near the infield hole; he raced over to the baseball, scooped it up and made a jump-throw toward first base.
But St. Louis Cardinals NL All-Star Brendan Donovan beat the throw to first. He got aboard to set the table for New York Mets superstar Pete Alonso.
The National League had two runners on base as Bubic pitched deeper into trouble. He challenged Alonso with a four-seam fastball and left it hanging over the middle of the plate.
Alonso didn’t miss it. He blasted the pitch over the right field wall as the NL extended its lead to 6-0 over the American League.
Bubic was charged with three earned runs on 15 pitches.
Witt and Garcia each made an impact later in the game. In the seventh inning, Garcia walked and stole second base — then advanced to third when an errant pickoff attempt sailed into center.
Garcia came around to score not long after that when Witt grounded out.
The AL closed the gap by scoring four times in the seventh. Athletics star — and former Royal — Brent Rooker had the big bat, belting a three-run homer.
It was the first All-Star appearance for Bubic and Garcia. And they basked in the moment during the lead-up festivities, which included the Home Run Derby on Monday.
Witt made his second All-Star appearance Tuesday after making his first last summer. He joined Royals teammate and KC closer Carlos Estévez as returning players at the midsummer classic.
Estévez pitched the bottom of the seventh. He recorded a scoreless frame that included three strikeouts of NL All-Stars Kyle Stowers, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Matt Olson.
All four Royals players were selected as All-Star reserves. Witt and Bubic made the AL team by way of the Player’s Ballot vote. Estévez was an injury replacement for Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom, while Garcia replaced Tampa Bay Rays standout Brandon Lowe.
Witt finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBIs. He hit an RBI double down the right-field line as the AL drew within one run in the ninth inning.
The AL came back from a six-run deficit to tie the game after nine innings. And then a bit of baseball history ensued.
Home run ending: The ‘swing-off’
For the first time in All-Star Game history, the AL and NL competed in a home-run “swing-off” because the teams were tied 6-6 after nine innings.
Each manager selected three batters to alternate turns at the plate. Those batters got three swings apiece. The league with the most home runs would be declared the winner.
AL manager Aaron Boone sent out Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda. The NL countered with Kyle Stowers, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso.
Rooker hit two home runs in the swing-off. They followed his three-run blast earlier in the game.
But the NL won the home run finale 4-3. Schwarber deposited three homers over the Truist Park fence in his three swings.
Here is a look at the final homer tally from the swing-off:
Rooker: 2
Stowers: 1
Arozarena: 1
Schwarber: 3
Aranda: 0
Alonso: Not needed
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 11:14 PM.
