Witt Jr. Walk-Off
Bobby Witt Jr.'s Walk-Off Single Powers Kansas City Royals 3-2 Comeback Over Twins
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Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a two-out RBI single to left field in the ninth inning Saturday, lifting the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 comeback win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The hit scored Josh Rojas and capped a remarkable rally from a 2-1 deficit with two outs left in the game, according to AP.
The victory moves Kansas City to 25-39 on the season while Minnesota falls to 30-35, still seven games back of the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. The Royals entered the game with a brutal 10-31 road record, yet found a way to win in Minneapolis.
Carter Jensen Powers Royals Offense on Both Ends
Catcher Carter Jensen was at the center of nearly every big Royals moment. He led off the scoring in the first inning, hitting a full-count knuckle curve into the right-field stands for a solo home run and a 1-0 lead, AP reported. Then, in the ninth, he came back up and hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Tyler Tolbert to tie the game at 2-2.
Royals starter Luinder Avila kept the Twins in check early, allowing just two hits over five innings, Newsday noted. That gave Kansas City a chance to stay close before the bullpen and offense took over in the final frames.
Arcia Pinch-Hit Homer Sets Up Wild Ninth Inning
Minnesota looked ready to close the game out after the eighth inning. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli sent Orlando Arcia up to pinch-hit with two outs. Arcia connected for a solo home run off Royals reliever Matt Strahm, giving Minnesota a 2-1 lead. It was Arcia's first home run of the season, according to San Mateo Daily Journal.
But Strahm still earned the win, moving to 3-1 on the season. The Royals refused to let that lead stand. In the top of the ninth, Isaac Collins led off with a single against Twins reliever Eric Orze. Pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert then stole second, and a pair of sacrifice bunts set up the tying and winning runs, per AP.
Alex Lange Slams the Door After Shaky Start
Royals closer Alex Lange entered the ninth with a 3-2 lead and quickly ran into trouble. Kody Clemens hit a leadoff double, putting the tying run in scoring position. But Lange recovered fast. He struck out Josh Bell, then Austin Martin, then Royce Lewis to end the game and earn his third save of the season, AP reported.
Lange has made a habit of navigating late-inning trouble for Kansas City. Orze, on the other side, took the loss and a blown save after giving up two runs in the ninth to fall to 2-2 on the year, according to Field Level Media.
Royals Carry Injury Concerns Into Series Finale
The win came at a cost. Outfielder Jac Caglianone, one of Kansas City's top power threats, left the game in the first inning with right shoulder soreness. The Royals are already without Maikel Garcia (hamstring) and Cole Ragans (elbow), so losing Caglianone could force a call-up from Triple-A Omaha, RotoWire reported.
Minnesota is also hurting. Ace Pablo López is on the 60-day injured list after UCL surgery, and starting catcher Ryan Jeffers is out with a fractured hamate bone. Byron Buxton, who leads the Twins with 18 home runs, sat out Saturday with a shoulder issue. The teams meet again Sunday, with Connor Prielipp (2-3, 5.26 ERA) starting for Minnesota against Noah Cameron (2-4, 4.22 ERA) for Kansas City, per AP.
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