KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Royals continued their strong spring surge this past weekend, taking two out of three games against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. While the Tigers managed to salvage the series finale, the weekend was defined by Kyle Isbel’s late-inning magic and a rare Bobby Witt Jr. feat.
Friday: Isbel’s Walk-Off Wonder
The Royals opened the series on Friday night with a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory. Kyle Isbel proved to be the game’s MVP on both sides of the ball. Trailing 3-1 in the eighth, Isbel sparked a two-run rally with an RBI single that drew the Royals even. Earlier in that same inning, Isbel made two spectacular catches in center field—including a diving grab and an over-the-shoulder snag—to keep the Tigers from extending their lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, after Nick Loftin reached on a two-out double, Isbel delivered his first career walk-off hit, a sliced single into left field that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Saturday: Witt Jr. Circles the Bases
On Saturday, Michael Wacha dominated the mound, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out six. His performance provided the cushion for a 5-1 Royals victory, but Bobby Witt Jr. stole the headlines in the first inning.
Witt Jr. lined a ball down the right-field line that eluded fielder Kerry Carpenter. Showcasing his elite speed, Witt motored around the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run—the first by a Royal since Witt himself accomplished the feat in 2023. Michael Massey added a three-run blast in the fourth to seal the win and secure the series victory.
Sunday: Tigers Avoid the Sweep
The Tigers finally found their footing on Sunday night, snapping a five-game losing streak with a 6-3 win. The hero for Detroit was a fresh face: Gage Workman. Called up from Triple-A Toledo just hours before the game, Workman entered as a pinch-hitter and launched a tie-breaking, two-run home run in the sixth inning.
The Royals had battled back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the fourth, courtesy of an RBI from Vinnie Pasquantino and a game-tying double from Jac Caglianone. However, Detroit’s bullpen, led by Enmanuel De Jesus and veteran closer Kenley Jansen, shut the door on the Royals’ hopes for a sweep.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
- Friday: Royals 4, Tigers 3 (WP: Erceg, LP: Hurter)
- Saturday: Royals 5, Tigers 1 (WP: Wacha, LP: Smith)
- Sunday: Tigers 6, Royals 3 (WP: De Jesus, LP: Mears)
Up Next: After an off-day Monday, the Royals travel to Chicago on Tuesday to face the White Sox, with Stephen Kolek scheduled to take the mound.
