Bobby Witt Jr. powers Royals past Brewers 6-4
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
By DAVID SMALE Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a home run and scored three times to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 on Wednesday.
Both starting pitchers struggled out of the gate but settled down and limited the damage. The Royals’ Brady Singer (3-1) allowed one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four. Joe Ross (1-4) allowed three runs on three hits in five-plus innings, walking two and striking out two.
James McArthur picked up his eighth save after blowing his last two chances.
The Brewers opened the first with back-to-back doubles by Brice Turang and William Contreras to grab a 1-0 lead.
The Royals answered with back-to-back doubles by Maikel Garcia and Witt, but didn’t score until Vinnie Pasquantino’s sacrifice fly. Witt’s double looked like a flyout to center, keeping Garcia at second. But Blake Perkins slipped in center and the ball dropped untouched. Michael Massey’s sacrifice fly scored Witt to give KC a 2-1 lead.
After both starters settled down, Massey got his second sacrifice fly in the sixth, scoring Witt.
Gary Sanchez connected for his fifth home run leading off the seventh for Milwaukee. With one out and a runner at second, Turang lined one to left, but Oliver Dunn was thrown out at the plate by left fielder MJ Melendez.
Witt hit his first home run since April 11 leading off the eighth. Adam Frazier and Freddy Fermin added RBI singles. The Brewers got two runs in the ninth.
Christian Yelich went 0 for 5 for the Brewers in his first game back from a low back strain.
TRAINING ROOM
Royals: RHP Alec Marsh is eligible to come off the IL on Friday. Manager Matt Quatraro said Marsh is on schedule to start for the Royals in Anaheim.
UP NEXT
Brewers: return to Milwaukee to start a four-game series with the Cardinals. Milwaukee will hand the ball to RHP Tobias Myers (0-2, 6.23 ERA). The Cardinals have not announced their starter.
Royals: will begin a four-game series in Anaheim on Thursday. RHP Michael Wacha (1-4, 5.50 ERA) will start for KC against LHP Reid Detmers (3-3, 4.24 ERA).
