Kansas City Royals’ pitcher Singer delivered a dominant performance against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night, coming close to throwing a no-hitter and leading his team to a dramatic walk-off victory. Singer got off to a perfect start, retiring the first 14 batters he faced. Even after issuing a walk to Mariners’ Cade Marlowe, he remained in control of the game.
Supported by the roaring crowd at Kauffman Stadium, Singer took his no-hit bid into the seventh inning before Mariners’ Dominic Canzone broke it up with a two-out single. Despite losing the no-hitter, Singer displayed his exceptional pitching skills with his impressive three-pitch arsenal. His sinker showcased movement across the plate, while his slider glided from corner to corner.
The Royals rewarded Singer’s stellar performance with a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory over the Mariners. After the Mariners took the lead in the ninth inning, the Royals came back with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Royals’ captain Salvador Perez hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Bobby Witt Jr., and outfielder Dairon Blanco sealed the victory with a walk-off RBI bunt single.
Singer’s impressive outing lasted 7 1/3 innings, during which he threw 106 pitches. He allowed only two hits, two earned runs, and struck out eight batters. Singer effectively kept the potent Mariners lineup at bay, generating 16 called strikes and 13 whiffs.
The Royals started the game with ample run support as Perez launched a three-run homer over the center-field wall in the first inning, giving the Royals an early 3-0 lead. Witt Jr. also contributed to the offense with an inside-the-park home run, showcasing his speed and agility. He finished the game with four hits in total.
However, the Mariners mounted a strong comeback in the eighth inning, scoring four runs after Singer left the game. Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez’s three-run double narrowed the Royals’ lead, and Eugenio Suarez added an RBI single.
In the ninth inning, the Mariners continued their offensive onslaught, tying the game with a run driven home by Jose Rojas. Rodriguez then knocked in the go-ahead run, putting the Mariners ahead by one.
Despite the Mariners’ late surge, the Royals didn’t disappoint their enthusiastic crowd of 11,878 fans. Witt, Perez, and Blanco’s clutch performances ensured the Royals emerged victorious. With this win, the Royals improved their season record to 39-81.
In other Royals news, the team made a roster move by optioning Edward Olivares to Triple-A and claiming Bubba Thompson from the Rangers. Additionally, the Royals’ rising star Bobby Witt Jr. signed an endorsement deal with CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
Some notable moments from Monday’s game included Witt Jr.’s inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning. Witt hit a 97-mph fastball into the right-field gap, and with Canzone misjudging the line drive, Witt took advantage of the situation and raced around the bases, sliding headfirst into home. This marked Witt’s first inside-the-park homer of his career and the first for the Royals since Whit Merrifield achieved the feat in 2019.
Furthermore, third baseman Maikel Garcia returned to the lineup after missing one game due to left upper body discomfort. Garcia extended his hitting streak to 16 games, setting a new franchise record for the longest hitting streak by a Royals rookie. He finished the game with two hits, a run scored, and an RBI.
Garcia also currently holds the longest active hitting streak across Major League Baseball.
Overall, Singer’s dominant performance and the Royals’ thrilling walk-off victory provided fans with an unforgettable evening of baseball. The team displayed resilience and determination, bouncing back from a late Mariners rally to secure the win. As the Royals continue to navigate through the season, they aim to build on this momentum and deliver more exciting games for their loyal supporters.
