By MATT PIKE
Michael Wacha pitched seven scoreless innings, Bobby Witt Jr. hit an inside-the-park home run on a grounder to give the Kansas City Royals an early lead, and the Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 5-1 at Kauffman Stadium to clinch a series win.
After Maikel Garcia led the bottom of the first off with a double, Witt hit the ball down the right-field line in the first inning that bounced off the wall and eluded right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Witt motored around the bases and beat the relay throw to the plate for a two-run home run, scoring Garcia for the 2-0 lead. It was the Royals’ first inside-the-park home run since Witt also did it in August 2023.
In the fourth inning, after a walk by Carter Jensen and a single by Jac Caglianone, Michael Massey extended the lead for the only other runs the Royals needed with a three-run home run, lining the ball over the right-center field fence for his third home run of the season, putting Kansas City up 5-0.
The two home runs backed a strong performance from Wacha, who earned the win improving to 4-2 on the season, giving up two hits, walking two and striking out six over seven seven scoreless innings. It was his longest scoreless outing since throwing eight scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox on April 11th. The Tigers scored in the eighth inning, off reliever Matt Strahm, on a two-out double by Riley Greene, bringing home Kevin McGonigle.
At the plate, the Royals needed just six hits to win the game, getting all six hits from six different players. Witt Jr was 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Massey was 1-for-3, also with a home run, and three RBI's. Jensen was 1-for-2 with a walk.
Kansas City and Detroit conclude the three-game series tomorrow . Noah Cameron (2-2, 5.40 ERA, 28K's) will start the finale for the Royals against Brenan Hanifee (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4K's) for the Tigers, though manager AJ Hinch said it will be a bullpen game. First pitch is at 6:20pm, pregame will begin at 5:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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