Royals rally in eighth to defeat Twins 4-2, boost wild card hopes
- Bobby Witt Jr. hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, leading the Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Twins.
- The Royals managed only one hit through the first seven innings but rallied for four runs in the eighth, overcoming a season-high seven-game losing streak.
- This win gives the Royals a 1 1/2-game lead over the Twins for the second AL wild card spot.
In a thrilling game on Saturday night in Kansas City, the Royals overcame a slow start to defeat the Minnesota Twins 4-2. Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a crucial tiebreaking single during a four-run eighth inning, propelling the Royals to victory and securing a 1 1/2-game lead over the Twins for the second AL wild card spot. The Royals had struggled offensively, managing only one hit through the first seven innings against pitcher Bailey Ober. The turning point came when the Royals rallied against Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax in the eighth. Kyle Isbel's RBI single set the stage for Witt's hit, which allowed Isbel to score and give Kansas City a 3-2 lead. MJ Melendez added another run with a two-out single, further extending the Royals' advantage. This marked the Royals' third consecutive win after a challenging seven-game losing streak earlier in the season. Manager Matt Quatraro praised the team's resilience and the quality of their at-bats against Durán, highlighting the importance of their pitching staff in keeping the game competitive. The Royals' bullpen, particularly Lucas Erceg, who pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 10th save, played a vital role in securing the win. On the other hand, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli expressed disappointment, emphasizing that a two-run lead in the eighth should have guaranteed a win. The loss was compounded by Jax's fifth blown save of the season, raising concerns about the Twins' late-game performance as they continue to chase a playoff spot.