Bobby Witt Jr., Royals Applauded by Fans After Sweeping Orioles in 2024 MLB Playoffs
October 3, 2024
The Kansas City Royals finished off a two-game American League Wild Card Series sweep of the host Baltimore Orioles with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening.
After the game, the Royals social media trolled the Orioles with an homage to The Wire:
Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-out infield RBI single, which scored Kyle Isbel, put Kansas City ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning. Witt's blazing speed proved to be the difference and helped vault the Royals to the AL Division Series, where they will meet the New York Yankees.
Kansas City got on the board in the first inning when Vinnie Pasquantino's RBI single scored Michael Massey.
Royals starter Seth Lugo cruised through the first four innings but got in trouble in the fifth when Cedric Mullins led off with a homer to tie the game at one.
A Ramón Urías single and a Gunnar Henderson walk put two runners on before Lugo committed an error on a bunt attempt from Jordan Westburg, loading the bases with no one out.
Lugo got Anthony Santander to pop out before Angel Zerpa took over. The Orioles' rally died after Colton Cowser struck out and Adley Rutschman grounded out.
The Royals bullpen dominated the Baltimore lineup, throwing 4.2 shutout innings while allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six. It continued a phenomenal stretch from the relievers.
Lucas Erceg got his second save in as many nights, striking out Henderson to end the game.
The result certainly excited Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is also part of the Royals' ownership group.
Mahomes was also impressed with Witt's wheels.
The 24-year-old Witt just enjoyed a phenomenal season that included an MLB-high .332 batting average and 211 hits. Witt amassed 32 home runs and 109 RBI while stealing 31 bases and scoring 125 runs. He posted a .977 OPS, and his 9.4 WAR (wins above replacement) was good enough for second in the American League, per Baseball-Reference.
And now he's excelling in the playoffs. Witt was also responsible for Game 1's lone run thanks to a sixth-inning RBI single that scored Maikel Garcia.
MLB Network @MLBNetworkBobby Witt Jr. joins Jimmie Foxx as the only players in AL/NL history to drive in the game-winning run in each of their first two career <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> games.<br><br>(H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/EliasSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliasSports</a>) <a href="https://t.co/gIAZMFxqq7">pic.twitter.com/gIAZMFxqq7</a>
Sarah Langs @SlangsOnSportsat 24 years & 110 days, Bobby Witt Jr. is the 2nd-youngest player in postseason history to have a go-ahead hit in the 6th for later in consecutive postseason games, older than only:<br><br>Cody Bellinger in 2017 WS G4-5 (22y, 107-108d)<br><br>h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/EliasSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliasSports</a>
The lights aren't too bright at all for the superstar in his first-ever playoff appearance, and Witt (and the rest of the Royals) got much-deserved love on social media.
The Royals will now travel to New York to begin the best-of-five ALDS. Game 1 will be at Yankee Stadium on Saturday at 6:38 p.m. ET.
