Bobby Witt Jr.’s summer continues.
The Kansas City Royals star started Monday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a triple, a double and a home run, moving him one RBI away from hitting for the cycle for the first time in his career in just four at-bats.
He fell just short of the milestone when he was hit by a pitch on the first pitch of his fourth at-bat, ultimately resulting in temper flares in both dugouts, but it didn’t detract from a big night for Witt, who led the Royals to a 10-4 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Witt records three hits in four consecutive games
Witt, who has been in great form since returning from the All-Star break, led off the game with a triple into the right field corner, his 10th triple of the season, joining fellow Boston Red Sox All-Star Jarren Duran (11).
In his next at-bat, Witt doubled in the top of the third and scored on a single by Vinny Pasquantino to cut Arizona’s lead to 3-2. Then, in the top of the fourth, he delivered the final blow to the Diamondbacks.
With runners on the corners and Kansas City leading 5-3, Witt rocketed a Miguel Castro fastball over the wall in left-center field to extend the Royals’ lead to 8-3, putting the Royals one cycle away from becoming the first Royals to hit a cycle since George Brett in 1990.
The Kansas City home crowd rose to its feet in anticipation when Witt came to bat in the sixth inning, but it was soon to be disappointing.
HBP ruins your cycle chances
Humberto Castellanos threw a high inside sinker on the first pitch, which hit Witt on his left elbow.
It didn’t appear to be intentional — Castellanos quickly crouched on the mound in response to hitting Whit — but the fans and the Royals dugout were infuriated. Boos rained down from the stands at Kauffman Stadium, and Royals catcher Salvador Pérez aired his displeasure from the steps of the Kansas City dugout.
Witt calmly removed his elbow pad, stepped onto first base and hit another home run to score, extending Kansas City’s lead to 10-3 and giving the Diamondbacks another tough time.
Royals relief pitcher John Schriever fought back in the next inning, striking out Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno.
The Royals retaliated against the Diamondbacks for hitting Bobby Witt Jr., and the umpires gave warnings to both dugouts.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected from the game in a fit of rage, and Salvador Perez responded in a furious manner. pic.twitter.com/2m1lr9djfn
— JomboyMedia (@JomboyMedia) July 23, 2024
This was almost certainly intentional, and it infuriated Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who then had umpire Jordan Baker give warnings to both dugouts and ultimately ejected Lovullo after he continued to protest.
Lovro: Intention matters
After the game, Lovullo explained that he was upset that the Royals had intentionally thrown the ball to Moreno after he was hit by a pitch.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo explained the circumstances that led to the ejection, including comments made on the field. #Royals Catcher Salvador Pérez.
The ejections came after the Diamondbacks and Royals hit batters with pitches in consecutive innings, including one in which Bobby Witt Jr. came close to a cycle. pic.twitter.com/dzQW8VWUMn
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) July 23, 2024
“If you think in your right mind that I’m going to ask a team to let a guy who is the future of the major leagues, one of the best players in the major leagues, hit, you’re crazy,” Lovullo said. “You’re not in control of this situation and you’re wrong. That’s exactly what I said to Jordan Baker, and I [Perez] Hearing that, I wanted him to take that back to the dugout and make sure he understood that’s how I feel about the situation and that’s how I feel about Bobby Witt Jr.
“He’s an incredible player. I would never condone hitting another player. … If he felt it was intentional, he should have hit Castellanos then and there. I’m OK with that. It was clear that it was intentional on his part, and I think the opposing pitcher should have been ejected from the game then and there.”
After the drama died down, Witt had one more chance to get the cycle, but he flied out in his final at-bat in the eighth inning.
Witt’s strong start to the second half
Though he didn’t hit for the cycle, Witt put up another impressive performance, going 3-for-4 on the night with one home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. This was Witt’s fourth consecutive game with three hits since baseball resumed after the All-Star break.
He went 12-for-15 with two home runs, seven runs scored and six RBIs in those four games. The Royals won all four games to improve to 56-45 and stay in the running for the AL Central and Wild Card.
Witt, a third-year pro, accomplished this feat in just his third season in the MLB, when he played in his first All-Star game and advanced to the Home Run Derby finals against eventual winner Teoscar Hernandez.
He may have missed out on the cycle on Monday, but there’s plenty to celebrate in Witt and plenty of chances for the 24-year-old to win his first career cycle.
