Bobby Witt Jr. comes within single of hitting for cycle as KC Royals belt D’backs

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 Royals’ 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“We all love Bobby man,” Royals captain Salvador Perez said. “Right now he is the best player in the MLB and the best player I have ever played with, too.”

Witt 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 — his 10th of the season.

In his next at-bat, he 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 had gotten the two biggest obstacles out of the way in his first two plate appearances. And he was helping the Royals pull away from Arizona.

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 KC’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.

“It’s really unfortunate that he got hit,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Witt. “I don’t really know what to really think about the intent behind it. He handled it they way he should have. He is a pro: He went to first base, ran the bases hard and we scored a run.”

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

“I was trying to put a good swing on it,” he said. “I don’t really know how to, I feel like, hit a single. ... I feel like I got too big on that. I missed a good pitch to hit. But it was a great win today.”

The Royals cruised to their fourth consecutive victory, with southpaw starter Cole Ragans pitching another quality start for his seventh win of the year.

“That’s a special player and a special human being,” Ragans said of Witt. “It’s so easy to root for that guy. Getting to watch him every single night is special. He is a superstar and it’s just special.”

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

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

“The unfortunate part for me is just that it’s hard to see another team talking to your players,” Quatraro said. “That’s what was the most frustrating thing and I think that’s why it got out of hand.”

Instead of heading right to the visitors’ clubhouse upon being tossed from the game, Lovullo continued to argue with other members of the umpiring crew. Meanwhile, Royals catcher Salvador Perez was agitated and started chirping back at the Diamondbacks.

He was restrained by the members of the Royals’ coaching staff.

“I don’t like the way it looked — only (being) honest to you guys — 3-for-3 and trying to get a hit for the cycle,” Perez said. “He is so close. Wish it could’ve happened today.”

It took a minute for cooler heads to prevail. But Lovullo eventually exited and play resumed.

Quatraro said Schreiber’s pitch was not intentional.

“You know, we’re not trying to hit somebody,” Quatraro said. “We’re trying to finish that game. Guys haven’t pitched in a week.”

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals continue their series against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

KC 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.