Witt Jr. Royals/ Kansas City Royals ALDS/ Royals vs. Yankees/ Orioles playoff sweep/ MLB Wild Card Royals/ Newslooks/ BALTIMORE/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Bobby Witt Jr.’s infield single in the sixth inning drove in the go-ahead run, securing the Kansas City Royals’ 2-1 win and series sweep over the Baltimore Orioles. Witt, who had another clutch hit in Game 1, sent the Royals to the AL Division Series, where they will face the New York Yankees.
Witt’s Clutch Hit Seals Royals’ ALDS Spot: Quick Looks
- Bobby Witt Jr. Shines Again: Witt’s infield single in the sixth inning drove in the decisive run, sending the Royals to the ALDS.
- Royals Sweep Orioles: Kansas City wins the series 2-1 and moves on to face the AL East champion New York Yankees in the next round.
- Pitching Masterclass: Kansas City’s bullpen delivered clutch performances to secure the win, allowing just one run and stranding multiple Orioles’ baserunners.
- Orioles’ Playoff Struggles: Baltimore goes 0-5 in their last two postseason appearances, struggling to convert with runners in scoring position.
- Royals’ Turnaround: After losing 106 games last season, Kansas City made a 30-win improvement to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Deep Look
The Kansas City Royals are back in October, and Bobby Witt Jr. is proving to be the spark they needed. In Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Witt’s sixth-inning infield single drove in the go-ahead run, giving the Royals a 2-1 victory and a sweep of the best-of-three series. Witt, who had already delivered the decisive RBI in Kansas City’s 1-0 Game 1 win, once again came through in the clutch.
With runners at the corners and two outs, Witt hit a ground ball deep behind second base. Orioles’ infielder Jordan Westburg made a diving stop, but Witt’s speed proved too much as he reached first in just 4.14 seconds, allowing Kyle Isbel to score from third. Witt’s heads-up play gave the Royals a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“I just had to try to run,” Witt said after the game. It’s the second consecutive game in which the AL batting champion delivered the key hit to secure a victory for his team.
The win sends Kansas City into the AL Division Series, where they’ll face the New York Yankees. Game 1 is set for Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Royals’ Postseason Surge
Kansas City’s journey to October was anything but smooth. The team endured two separate seven-game losing streaks in the final month of the regular season but bounced back to clinch a playoff spot. Their postseason experience has been bolstered by the addition of key veterans, such as Tommy Pham, Yuli Gurriel, Michael Wacha, and Will Smith, who have all contributed to the team’s success.
Second baseman Michael Massey, who started the game with a double and scored Kansas City’s first run, credited the team’s veteran leadership for helping younger players stay composed under pressure. “They’ve been there before, they’ve done it,” Massey said. “It’s helped us stay even-keel, especially during these big games.”
Managing for the Win
Manager Matt Quatraro, in his first postseason as a skipper, made key decisions that guided Kansas City to the win. Quatraro allowed starter Seth Lugo to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning before turning to a bullpen that has been dominant throughout the series. Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber, Sam Long, Kris Bubic, and Lucas Erceg combined to shut down the Orioles in relief, with Erceg earning his second save of the series.
“It’s so impressive that they believe in themselves and they trust their stuff,” Quatraro said of his bullpen. “They just come after some of the best hitters in the world.”
Orioles’ Playoff Woes Continue
On the other side, the Orioles were left searching for answers after their second consecutive postseason sweep. Baltimore, which lost its Wild Card series last year as well, went just 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position in Game 2, following a 5-for-32 stretch in the series. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed frustration with the team’s missed opportunities but remained proud of how far they had come.
“There’s frustration, there’s anger, there’s disappointment,” Hyde said. “There were opportunities in both games to change the score, and it didn’t happen.”
The Orioles now head into the offseason with questions about their roster and the future of manager Brandon Hyde, as well as the possibility of losing key players like Corbin Burnes to free agency.
Up Next for Kansas City
The Royals will travel to New York to face the AL East champion Yankees in the AL Division Series. Kansas City will likely turn to veteran starters like Michael Wacha, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday. The Royals’ pitching staff will have a tall task ahead, facing a potent Yankees lineup led by Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole.
For now, Kansas City will savor its hard-earned victory and the chance to keep its postseason dreams alive.
