Witt Jr makes up for costly mistake to help snap losing streak

By MATT PIKE

Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium avoid a sweep in a three-game series.

The Royals hit four solo homers in a game where all seven runs came on home runs.

The Angels got on the board in the first on a three-run homer by Luis Rengifo. With two outs, Taylor Ward singled, Jo Adell walked and Rengifo hit a slider 384 feet down the left-field line.  The Royals answered in the second on Adam Frazier’s home run, the 1,000th hit of his MLB career.

Vinnie Pasquantino connected on his 29th home run of the season leading off the fourth inning to trim the deficit to one run.  The Royals tied it when Salvador Perez hit his 24th home run of the season, leading off the seventh inning.

Witt Jr’s solo home run in the eighth inning gave the Royals the lead.  Witt helped the Royals to the win, one day after a costly fielding mistake gave the Angels a win in the second game of the three game series.

 Noah Cameron allowed three runs on five hits through five innings.  Lucas Erceg earned the win, improving to 7-4, striking out two in one inning and Carlos Estévez picked up his major league-best 37th save.  At the plate, Pasquantino was 2-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.  Witt Jr was 1-for-3 with a walk and a home run with one RBI.  

Up next, Kansas City continue their nine-game homestand against Minnesota.  Michael Wacha (8-11, 3.52) will start for the Royals while the Twins have not named a starter.  First pitch tomorrow is at 6:40 with pregame coverage beginning at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.