Bobby Witt Jr. reaches career milestone as Royals rally for road win over Twins
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- Bobby Witt Jr. recorded his 400th career RBI with an RBI single in the ninth.
- Carter Jensen hit a tying sacrifice fly; Witt's RBI single won it.
- Alex Lange earned his third save on the road trip by striking out three Twins.
The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close game on Saturday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
It’s been a common theme during the four-game series. And it appeared the Twins pressed the right buttons late in the game.
In the eighth inning, Twins manager Derek Shelton inserted right-handed batter Orlando Arcia into the game to face Royals left-hander Matt Strahm. After a six-pitch battle, Arcia hit a solo homer over the left-field wall that gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead.
But the Royals didn’t go away, manufacturing two late runs for a 3-2 road victory.
Isaac Collins got aboard with a leadoff single, and this time, Royals manager Matt Quatraro inserted pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert to run for him.
Tolbert immediately stole second base. Then, Josh Rojas got aboard on a fielder’s choice. Both baserunners would eventually score as the batting order flipped over.
“We felt really good about the ability to steal that base,” Quatraro said. “You know, (Tolbert) in general and anybody. But, in that matchup in particular.”
Kyle Isbel had a key sacrifice bunt that moved Tolbert and Rojas over. Then, Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2.
“Just put the ball in play,” Jensen said of his ninth-inning approach. “Put the ball in play in the outfield, preferably. You know, our runner at third base, it’s not going to take a lot to get (Tolbert) in. So just stick to my plan and approach. I said it a couple days ago, but you got the best hitter and player in baseball behind me. Just let him get up, get a run in and let him do his thing. That’s what he did.”
Indeed, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. then provided the go-ahead run with an RBI single. It was Witt’s 400th career RBI. Witt has also hit safely in 15 of his last 18 games at Target Field.
“That’s Royals’ baseball right there,” Witt said. “Just playing the game.”
Royals right-handed reliever Alex Lange shut the door on the Twins in the ninth inning. He picked up his third save on the road trip as KC improved to 26-39 this season.
Lange worked around a Kody Clemens’ leadoff double and a hit by pitch in the frame. He struck out Minnesota sluggers Josh Bell, Austin Martin and Royce Lewis to preserve the victory.
“Got to walk the tightrope, you know,” Lange said. “My college coach, Alan Dunn, always said, ‘bend don’t break.’ So flush it and get the next hitter. Just keep driving forward.”
The Twins dropped to 30-36. Minnesota ace Joe Ryan earned a no decision after an earned run in six innings.
Luinder Avila posts strong start
Prior to the late-inning heroics, the Royals gave right-handed pitcher Luinder Avila an early lead. After Jensen put the club on the board with a leadoff homer, Avila tossed four scoreless frames in his second start.
Avila mixed well against the Twins. He relied on his five pitches and showcased each one effectively throughout the outing.
In the second inning, Avila recorded his first strikeout by retiring Martin on an 87.2 mph slider that was perfectly located at the bottom of the strike zone. The slider generated six swings and four whiffs, per Baseball Savant.
“Felt really good with all the pitches, thank God,” Avila said via a translator.
Avila ran into trouble in the fifth inning. He allowed two hits — as Martin broke up his no-hit bid with a leadoff single — and a run scored. Twins shortstop Tristian Gray hit a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 1-1.
The Twins also loaded the bases in the fifth. However, Avila showed poise and got an inning-ending double play. It would be his last batter faced on Saturday.
“I missed two pitches,” Avila said. “I pitched tough to (Royce) Lewis and I knew first base was open. I knew when I had the bases loaded, that I had to bear down and go hard at them. Avoid runs.”
KC turned to their bullpen at that point. Daniel Lynch IV recorded a scoreless sixth inning. And Lucas Erceg, who made his first appearance since blowing Tuesday’s save, worked around a walk to keep the game tied.
Avila was credited with a no decision. He showed poise and confidence as he continues to draw starts on the mound.
“Really efficient,” Quatraro said of Avila. “I think, you know, executing pitches and soft contact for the most part. I think the one pitch to (Victor) Caratini, I think the one for the double ... was probably the only one that he would want back. But I think he threw the ball really well.”
Jac Caglianone exits game
The Royals are dealing with another injury. On Saturday, KC outfielder Jac Caglianone departed in the fourth inning due to right shoulder soreness.
“He’s just a little sore,” Quatraro said. “We don’t think it’s anything structural. But, he was favoring it a little bit in his swing. So we didn’t want to take any chances.”
Caglianone injured his shoulder running into the right-field wall in Friday night’s game. He started the game Saturday in right field. However, the Royals inserted Lane Thomas as a pinch-hitter in the fourth.
Thomas reached base three times as a defensive replacement. He got aboard with a fielder’s choice, single and a walk in the game.
What’s next: Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.22 ERA) will start Sunday’s finale opposite Twins lefty Connor Prielipp (2-3, 5.26 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. Central Time.
This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM.
