Kansas City Royals Rout Twins 11-2 Without Bobby Witt Jr.

The Kansas City Royals delivered a statement performance on Tuesday night, overwhelming the Minnesota Twins with an 11-2 victory. They did it despite missing two of their most important players — star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and ace starter Seth Lugo.

This felt like one of their most complete games of the season. The Royals combined strong pitching, timely hitting, and relentless offensive pressure to inch closer in the AL playoff race.

With a golden opportunity to sweep their division rivals, Kansas City has set itself up well for the final stretch of its current homestand.

Stephen Kolek Shines in Efficient Seven-Inning Gem

Rookie starter Stephen Kolek stepped in for Lugo and rose to the occasion. He didn’t overpower hitters with strikeouts, but his command and poise carried him through seven sharp innings.

Working Out of Trouble and Seizing Momentum

Kolek allowed just two runs on seven baserunners and showed remarkable composure in key spots. In the third inning, the Twins threatened after back-to-back extra-base hits, but Kolek stayed cool, inducing weak contact to escape.

His best moment came in the seventh, when he struck out three straight batters to protect Kansas City’s lead and electrify the home crowd.

Manager Matt Quatraro had to love what he saw from his young right-hander. The bullpen tandem of Luinder Avila and Sam Long followed, posting scoreless frames to close it out.

Offense Explodes Early Against Unbeaten Joe Ryan

Kansas City’s offense wasted no time against Twins starter Joe Ryan, who entered with an 8-0 record and a 1.34 ERA against the Royals. By the end of the first inning, that dominance was gone.

First Inning Barrage Sets the Tone

Five Royals crossed the plate in the opening frame. Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Nick Loftin sparked the rally.

Loftin especially enjoyed a breakout night, notching his first career three-hit game and adding a jolt to Kansas City’s lineup.

Ryan, reportedly battling illness and frustrated by a tight strike zone, took his first career loss against the Royals. That opening inning was exactly what Kansas City needed, showing they could dismantle one of their biggest nemeses even without key players.

Balanced Attack Puts the Game Out of Reach

The Royals didn’t just rely on early fireworks — they kept their foot on the gas. Young contributors like Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone chipped in, while Kyle Isbel added timely hits of his own.

Every starter reached base at least once, which says a lot about the depth and cohesion of Kansas City’s batting order.

Offensive Keys to the Victory

The Royals kept adding runs in the middle and late innings. They never let Minnesota back into it, keeping the pressure on from start to finish.

Playoff Race Heats Up

With the victory, Kansas City improved to 4-4 on the homestand and stayed just one game behind the Seattle Mariners in the chase for a postseason berth.

The Royals now have a shot at a series sweep over the Twins, which would secure a winning homestand before heading into a crucial road trip against the Cleveland Guardians and Philadelphia Phillies.

Momentum at the Perfect Time

This win feels bigger than just a number in the standings. It’s a confidence-builder for a roster proving it can thrive even without its biggest stars.

For fans, this game wasn’t just enjoyable — it was promising. The Royals looked like a team that fully believes the playoffs are within reach.

If Tuesday night was any indication, they might just be right.

 
Here is the source article for this story: No Bobby? No Problem! Royals batter the Twins 11-2