The Kansas City Royals look to their “special” talent — Bobby Witt Jr. — as they hope to avoid a sweep by the visiting Detroit Tigers.
The Royals (82-70) are clinging to the second wild card in the American League. The Tigers (79-73) trail Kansas City by three games and the Minnesota Twins by 1 1/2 for the final wild-card spot.
During his strong season, Witt’s baserunning is sometimes overlooked. While he leads the majors with a .331 average and ranks among the leaders in home runs (32), extra-base hits (86), runs (123) and RBIs (108), he also ranks high in stolen bases (30).
“Just trying to get an extra 90 feet,” Witt said. “I want to get into better scoring position for the guys behind me. Just trying to get to the next base, trying to score, by whatever way.”
Witt stole his 30th base of the season in the first inning on Tuesday, becoming the first shortstop in major league history with two seasons of 30 homers and 30 steals. He hit 30 home runs and stole 49 bases last year.
“He’s the best player in baseball,” left-hander Cole Ragans said of Witt. “He’s incredible, a special talent, a special human being. It’s a joy to get to watch every single day.”
Following Tuesday’s 3-1 loss, a somber Witt acknowledged the milestone but was ready to move on.
“It’s pretty special anytime you get to be the first, but that’s over now,” he said. “On to tomorrow. Anytime you lose it’s frustrating. We didn’t come this far just to come this far.”
“Anytime you’re doing something in the history of the game for the first time ever, is remarkable,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I would guarantee he would trade that 30-30 for a win tonight and that’s another reason he’s so special.”
The Royals got some good news ahead of Tuesday’s 3-1 loss in 10 innings regarding right-handers James McArthur and Michael Lorenzen.
McArthur suffered a right elbow sprain in Monday’s 7-6 setback to Detroit, exiting in the middle of a seventh-inning at-bat.
“He’s got a grade one UCL sprain, which is probably the best news we could have hoped for,” Quatraro said. “We’re going to shut him down five to seven days, just depending on how he feels. We’re very hopeful that it’s not a season-ending injury.”
Lorenzen, who has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain, had a throwing session Tuesday.
“Assuming everything goes smoothly today with him playing catch, we have him scheduled for a live BP on Saturday,” Quatraro said.
Kansas City right-hander Alec Marsh (8-8, 4.52 ERA) will oppose Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal (16-4, 2.50) in Wednesday’s series finale.
Marsh won his only previous start against Detroit, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings on May 21.
AL Cy Young candidate Skubal is 2-9 with a 5.05 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) against Kansas City. His latest loss of the season came at the hands of the Royals on Aug. 2, allowing five runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Detroit’s bullpen was stellar in the two series wins, shutting out Kansas City after the fifth inning on Monday and holding the Royals hitless after Tommy Pham’s one-out single in the fifth.
Pitching in his third straight game, Jason Foley recorded his 25th save Tuesday. He has converted 10 straight save opportunities.
“Everyone’s done a hell of a job lately, especially with how much (everyone is) having to throw,” Foley said. “They’ve relied on us a lot. We’ve done a great job.”
