Bobby Witt Jr. drives in go-ahead run in seventh inning as Royals edge Guardians, 4-3

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Mar 29, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bobby Witt Jr. reminded Royals fans about his impressive speed on Opening Day.

On Saturday, he came through with his first signature moment of 2025.

The Kansas City Royals fought from behind against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. A Maikel Garcia home run tied the score at 3-3, then Witt, the Royals’ superstar shortstop, delivered another clutch moment in the seventh inning.

Witt hit an RBI double off Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Pinch runner Dairon Blanco came around to score as KC took a 4-3 lead — the eventual final score at The K.

For much of the game, it was a different story.

Royals starter Seth Lugo didn’t have the best command. He labored through five innings, allowing three runs, three walks and registering four strikeouts. Lugo consistently missed towards his arm side and inside to right-handed hitters.

KC’s offense wasn’t much better. Jonathan India and Salvador Perez carried the lineup early in the game. Perez recorded two RBI singles and India reached base three times.

But then came the clutch moments from Garcia and Witt. And the Royals held on down the stretch.

Witt, who began the season 1 for 8, added his first RBI in the biggest moment. KC improved to 1-1 ahead of Sunday’s series finale between American League Central foes.

Royals find life with 7th-inning rally

Garcia earned his first start on Saturday. He lined up at third base and hit seventh in the Royals lineup.

In the seventh inning, Garcia ignited the Royals comeback with a solo home run down the left-field line. He hooked an 81.2-mph sweeper off the foul pole as the Royals tied the game at 3 apiece.

The Royals found a way to build on that momentum. Cavan Biggio singled in the next at-bat. He was replaced by pinch runner Blanco, who scored on Witt’s RBI double.

Garcia’s heroics excited a raucous crowd at Kauffman Stadium and helped the Royals avoid a dreaded 0-2 start to the season..

What’s next?

The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Guardians on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. Right-hander Michael Wacha will make his 2025 regular-season debut in the series finale.