Witt homers, pushes hitting streak to 22 as Royals sweep Rays

TAMPA, Fla. — The Kansas City Royals are heating up at the right time.

Despite getting stagnant offensive production most days, the Royals have found a way to win games and climb back into the American League Central race.

They have done it with their pitching. The Royals continue to enjoy strong outings from a quartet of starters — and even got a glimpse of the future as local product Noah Cameron shined in his MLB debut.

The Royals (17-15) swept the Tampa Bay Rays on the road this week and appear to be putting it all together. A trip to Baltimore looms this weekend against the Orioles, another chapter in their American League rivalry.

Here are some main takeaways from the Royals-Rays series:

Thursday thoughts

The Royals’ offense found its rhythm right away on Thursday. A lot of the offensive production came from Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino as the Royals beat the Rays, 8-2.

KC collected 15 hits. Witt belted his third home run and finished with three RBIs, driving his hitting streak to 22 games (more about that momentarily).

“I’m hopeful we can sustain this kind of offense,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Pasquantino strung together more positive at-bats. He added two more hits, including a two-run single in the sixth inning. His 20 RBIs lead the team.

Right-handed starting pitcher Seth Lugo received ample run support, surrendering two earned runs en route to his third victory. Lugo relied primarily on his curveball, which registered 10 swings and two whiffs.

“I though I executed early and then the offense came around and put up a lot of runs,” Lugo said. “From then on, it’s just attack the (strike) zone and not issue any free passes and let the defense work for me. All around, a good team win.”

Rays star Yandy Diaz hit a solo home run off Lugo in the first inning. Later, Jonathan Aranda hit an RBI single off Lugo.

The Royals outscored the Rays 14-3 in the series and earned its second series sweep of the season. KC has won nine of its last 10 games and sits two games over .500.

“Any time you score runs, it’s always great,” Witt said. “Especially with our starting staff and bullpen.”

Witt Jr. extends hitting streak

Royals superstar Witt is marching toward Whit Merrifield’s club-record hitting streak. Merrifield began a 31-game hitting streak in 2018 that spilled into the next season.

Witt’s two-run homer in the fifth inning Thursday helped fuel the Royals offense. It was his first home run since an April 14 game against the New York Yankees.

“He’s incredible,” infielder teammate Jonathan India said. “It’s Bobby. It’s so incredible to watch and be his teammate and just how easy it is for him to do these things.

“You know, the homer he hit today, that’s not an easy pitch. Not many people can do that, 98 (mph) up and away. He is very special.”

Witt has raised his batting average 81 points during his hitting streak. He is now tied with Brian McRae for the sixth-longest hitting streak in franchise history.

More Witt milestones from the Tampa series: He reached 1,000 total bases, 300 career RBIs and celebrated his 500th game with the organization.

“If those guys are going to produce in the middle, we are going to be in really good shape,” Quatraro said.

Garcia’s thievery

Maikel Garcia carried his momentum into May. He had two hits and stole three bases Thursday against the Rays.

He singled in the second inning and then promptly stole second and third after timing the Rays starter Shane Baz’s delivery to the plate.

“I know he is quick when we are on first,” Garcia said. “(Michael) Massey is hitting after me, so I am trying to delay as the catcher is trying to steal a strike. That’s what I did. At second, I know it’s slow, like 1.5-1.6 (seconds to the plate), so just take advantage.”

The Royals’ ability to dictate the run game came in handy. Two innings later, Garcia sliced a double into an outfield gap and then stole third again. He soon scored on a game-tying sac fly by Massey.

“I’m just trying to help the team win,” Garcia said.

Garcia has been aggressive on the basepaths this season. He entered Thursday’s action with nine stolen base attempts. He now has seven steals in 12 chances this year.

“He was the best base stealer in baseball last year percentage-wise,” Quatraro said. “He’s been thrown out a couple times this year, but that delay was awesome. He really read Baz to get the steal to third. Maikel is a really good base stealer.”

Cameron realizes MLB dream

There were a lot of smiling faces around the Royals’ dugout Wednesday night.

Local product Noah Cameron, who grew up not far from Kansas City in St. Joseph, Mo., celebrated his big league debut in style: He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings with his family in attendance.

He even took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. And afterward, he joined some exclusive lists.

Cameron is the 11th Royals starting pitcher to win his debut. He also became the first pitcher since Daniel Ponce de Leon in 2018 to take a no-hitter 6 1/3 innings into his first major league game.

The Royals were impressed with the outing. Cameron was sent down to Triple-A Omaha before Thursday’s game — KC called up RHP Taylor Clarke for the bullpen — but Cameron no doubt earned himself another shot in the big leagues at some point soon.

What’s next?

The Royals visit Baltimore for a three-game series against the Orioles this weekend. Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (1-3, 3.38 ERA) will start Friday on the mound opposite RHP Dean Kremer (2-4, 7.04 ERA).