Bobby Witt Jr. makes Kansas City Royals — and MLB — history with second 30-30 season

Bobby Witt Jr. stands alone in the Major League Baseball record books.

The Kansas City Royals star became the first MLB shortstop to produce multiple 30-30 seasons in a career. Witt reached the milestone with a first-inning stolen base against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

“It’s pretty special any time you get to be the first,” Witt said.

Witt has 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season. He also leads the league in batting average (.332), runs scored (123) and hits (200).

However, the Tigers picked up a 3-1 victory over the Royals, and thus a frustrated Witt did not expand further on his accomplishment.

“Yeah, that’s now over,” he said. “And now we are on to tomorrow.”

KC dropped to 82-70. The Royals remained five games behind the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the division. The Guardians lost 4-1 to the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field.

The Royals are 1 ½ games clear of Minnesota for the second Wild Card spot.

“Any time you lose, it’s frustrating,” Witt said. “It’s just figuring out how you can improve.”

Tigers 3, Royals 1: Game Recap

Offense was at a premium throughout the game.

Each team produced one run through nine innings. In the 10th, the Tigers surged forward with two runs against Royals closer Lucas Erceg. He surrendered RBI singles to Parker Meadows and Riley Greene.

“I ended up making a good pitch, but I think it was Meadows who hit that broken bat single,” Erceg said. “(He) got just enough wood on it and he got that runner in.”

The Royals failed to respond in the bottom half. Tigers closer Jason Foley protected the two-run lead as Detroit won the series. Foley retired Witt, Salvador Perez and Michael Massey.

Earlier in the game, both starters were dealing.

Royals starter Cole Ragans allowed one run in seven innings and navigated around a lot of traffic on the basepaths. In the fourth inning, Ragans avoided trouble after walks to Colt Keith and Spencer Torkelson.

He registered consecutive strikeouts to extinguish the threat. Later, Ragans got some defensive help from catcher Freddy Fermin. He threw out Andy Ibanez attempting to steal second base.

“Defense was incredible,” Ragans said. “Massey making the play at second, (Paul DeJong) making the play at third and Freddy throwing out two guys. You know, they saved me and helped me get a little deeper in the game.”

But the Royals struggled to capitalize on Fermin’s effort.

KC scored one run against Tigers starter Casey Mize. In the third inning, Witt scored on Massey’s RBI single. Mize allowed six hits in 4 ⅓ innings on the mound.

“We’ve got to do a better job collectively taking advantage of some of their mistakes,” Massey said.

The Tigers improved to 79-73. They remain 1 ½ games behind the Twins for the final spot in the AL Wild Card race.

Missed previous Royals coverage?

Game 1: Royals fall 7-6 despite another MVP statement from Bobby Witt Jr.

Injury Update: Royals place RHP reliever James McArthur on injured list

Here are more notables from Tuesday’s game:

Bobby Witt Jr. by the Numbers

Witt has made his presence known against the Tigers. On Monday, he hit a grand slam and recorded five RBIs in the Royals loss.

It was his career-high 32nd home run. He also eclipsed 100 RBIs for the first time in three seasons with the Royals.

“Any time you are doing something in the history of the game for the first time ever — and on a positive note — is remarkable,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We say it all the time, you just can’t take for granted that we get to see him play every single day.”

Witt’s 30-30 season is the second in Royals history. He is also the first MLB player to have multiple 30-30 campaigns within his first three seasons.

Only six players recorded one 30-30 season in the same part of their careers. Witt is on a list that includes Julio Rodriguez (2023), Ronald Acuña Jr. (2019), Mike Trout (2012), Preston Wilson (2000) and Bobby Bonds (1969).

What’s next for the Royals?

The Royals finish their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Right-hander Alec Marsh will start the finale.

Marsh recorded his 200th career strikeout in his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is 4-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 12 games at Kauffman Stadium.

The Tigers will start left-hander Tarik Skubal. He is a front-runner for the American League Cy Young alongside Royals duo Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. Skubal is 16-4 and owns an AL-leading 2.50 ERA.