Rookie Bobby Witt Jr. had three more doubles for his second three-hit game, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Saturday.
A day after coming within a double of completing the cycle, Witt doubled in his first two at-bats. Both times he sent Andrew Benintendi to the plate. Witt added another double in the seventh inning.
Of Witt’s 41 hits, 22 have been extra-base hits, including 13 doubles, the most on the team. Hunter Dozier added three hits in just the Royals’ second win in nine games.
Minnesota has lost three of four. Luis Arráez and Puerto Rican Carlos Correa had three hits and Trevor Larnach homered for the Twins.
Dozier hit a two-run single in the seventh inning to make it 7-3.
Minnesota loaded the bases with two outs against Josh Staumont in the ninth, but Kyle Garlick hit a fly ball that was caught at the warning track.
In his first start, Brady Singer (2-0) gave up six hits and three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. Five of his eight strikeouts were on called strikes.
Minnesota pitcher Chris Archer (0-2) gave up a season-high seven hits and five runs, three earned, in four innings.
For the Royals, Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rivera 4-1 with one run scored and one produced; Venezuelan Salvador Pérez 4-1 with a run scored and Dominican Carlos Santana 3-0.
For the Twins, Venezuelan Luis Arráez 5-3 with a run scored; Dominicans Gary Sánchez 2-0 and Jorge Polanco 4-0; Colombian Gio Urshela 4-0 and Puerto Rican Carlos Correa 5-3.