How KC Royals flopped (and Witt’s streak fizzled) in shutout loss at Baltimore
The Kansas City Royals ran into some very good pitching in Friday night’s series opener at Baltimore.
Orioles right-handed starting pitcher Dean Kremer entered the evening with a 7.04 ERA in six outings. He had allowed 11 runs in his last two starts on the road.
Kremer looked like a different pitcher at home, stifling the Royals’ bats with seven scoreless innings as the hosts earned a 3-0 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
“He’s good,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He pitches up with the fastball and the cutter was really effective. He kept us off the barrel.”
The Royals (17-16) registered just three hits against Kremer despite his willingness to pitch to contact. They finished with just four hits in the game.
“There were some good swings in there,” Quatraro said. “Vinnie (Pasquantino) hit that ball well to left and we put some good swings on balls. But nothing strung together.”
Royals second baseman Michael Massey powered the KC offense early. He doubled in the second inning and added a single in the seventh. Catcher Freddy Fermin had two hits, too.
It was Massey’s first extra-base hit since April 6. He had been 11-for-67 in his previous 20 games.
“Just trying to be flatter through the (strike) zone,” Massey said of his adjustments. “And, I go back and look, I think the barrel angle in April was a little tipped and was probably causing more of a loopy swing to the zone and missing some of those fastballs up. I’ve just got to keep working and keep going.”
Kremer outdueled Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha. They traded scoreless innings until Baltimore scored three late runs. Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn — the former Royal — hit a two-run homer when Wacha left a 93.3 mph fastball hanging over the middle of the plate.
Later, Emmanuel Rivera rapped an RBI single off Royals reliever Steven Cruz. Wacha was charged with three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.
“We were cruising there up until the seventh,” Wacha said. “Too many pitches over the middle and they didn’t miss them.”
In terms of run support, Wacha has received two runs or fewer in every start he’s made this season. The Royals have eclipsed four runs just five times to open the year, and they’re averaging just 3.28 runs per game. That ranks 28th among the 30 MLB teams.
The Royals’ three-game winning streak came to an end Friday. The Orioles (13-18) won their eighth home game of the 2025 season.
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Here are more notable aspects of Friday’s game:
Bobby Witt Jr.’s hitting streak ends
The Orioles made life at the plate difficult for Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals superstar went 0-for-4, ending his 22-game hitting streak.
Witt struck out twice and flew out twice.
Witt’s 22-game hitting streak ties for the sixth-longest in franchise history, sharing the mark with Brian McRae. Witt’s streak began April 8 and continued through Thursday’s series finale in Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Witt has eight career hitting streaks of at least 10 games. Whit Merrifield still holds the franchise record, at 31 games.
Royals duo earns top honors
Witt joined left-handed starting pitcher Kris Bubic in receiving some special recognition before Friday’s first pitch.
Witt was named the Royals’ player of the month for March/April after hitting .322 average. He also began his hitting streak during the stretch.
Witt ranked among the American League’s leaders in doubles (12), stolen bases (9) and OPS (.882) during that span.
“I still feel like there’s a lot more work to do,” said Witt, who has won the club’s monthly award nine times. “I’m not big into the individual (awards), but I just try to help the team each and every night.”
Bubic, meanwhile, garnered his second pitcher of the month honor. He had a 2.25 ERA with four quality starts during March/April. He allowed nine earned runs in 36 innings.
“Kris, I feel really happy for him,” Quatraro said. “Coming back last year, he fought through everything with the rehab and going to the bullpen. And then, coming out of the gates the way he did and lifting us up as a starter, he’s been tremendous.”
What’s next for the Royals?
The Royals continue their three-game series against the Orioles on Saturday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Royals left-hander Bubic (2-2, 2.25 ERA) will start against Orioles right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (3-1, 3.00 ERA).
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM with the headline "How KC Royals flopped (and Witt’s streak fizzled) in shutout loss at Baltimore."
