Bobby Witt Jr. comes within single of hitting for cycle as Royals belt Diamondbacks

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s becoming increasingly difficult to describe Bobby Witt Jr.’s recent hot streak.

Words don’t do it justice. The superstar shortstop has long surged past such common descriptors as absurd, ludicrous or even nonsensical.

On Monday, Witt launched himself into another special category as he nearly hit for the cycle in the Kansas City Royals’ 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He began his quest for the cycle in the first inning. He drilled a 95.8 mph fastball into the right-field corner and wound up at third base with a triple. It was his 10th of the season.

In his next at-bat, Witt led off the third inning with a double. This time, he sent a line drive toward Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Witt was halfway to history. He got the two biggest obstacles out of the way within his first two plate appearances. And he was helping the Royals pull away from Arizona.

Royals captain Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the third inning — his 18th of the year — and outfielder Kyle Isbel recorded two early RBIs.

Diamondbacks starter Yilber Diaz yielded seven runs in three innings. Reliever Miguel Castro replaced him from the bullpen for the fourth.

Witt and the Royals weren’t fazed by the pitching change. Witt greeted Castro with a three-run homer to extend Kansas City’s lead. It was his 18th home run of the season, tying him for the team lead with Perez, and cemented his fourth consecutive three-hit game.

In the sixth inning, Witt stood on the precipice of history. But he was denied in a manner that prompted chaos at Kauffman Stadium.

Diamondbacks reliever Humberto Castellanos plunked Witt with a pitch. The beaning infuriated several Royals and the majority of fans in attendance. Loud boos and tense moments followed, leading to the ejection of Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo.

With had one more shot at hitting for the cycle late in the game. Needing a single, he flew out in the eighth.

But the Royals cruised to their fourth consecutive victory. Left-handed starting pitcher Cole Ragans earned another quality start and his seventh win of the year.

The Royals improved to 56-45 and have tied their win total from all of 2023.

Here are more notable aspects of Monday’s game:

Tempers flare at Kauffman Stadium

The in-game temperature rose to alarming levels in the seventh inning.

With two outs, Royals reliever John Schreiber hit Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno. Moreno ran down to first base as the umpires huddled near the pitching mound. Both teams were warned after the meeting.

Moments later, Arizona manager Lovullo emerged from the dugout. He argued with home plate umpire Jordan Baker before getting ejected.

He continued to argue with the remainder of the umpiring crew. Meanwhile, Royals catcher Salvador Perez was agitated and started chirping back to the Diamondbacks. He was held back by the members of the Royals’ coaching staff.

It took a minute for cooler heads to prevail. Lovullo eventually exited and the game resumed.

What’s next on the Royals’ schedule?

The Royals continue their series against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Kansas City right-hander Alec Marsh will make the home start at Kauffman Stadium. Marsh pitched a relief inning on July 19 against the Chicago White Sox. He enters with a 7-6 record and 4.52 ERA this season.

Arizona had not announced a starter for Tuesday’s game as of late Monday night.

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