Rojas's Winning Debut
Josh Rojas delivers go-ahead, two-run single in Royals debut as Kansas City beats Twins 8-6.
Recalled from Triple-A Omaha on game day, Josh Rojas stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning with the score tied 6-6 and the bases loaded — and delivered a go-ahead, two-run single up the middle to lift the Kansas City Royals over the Minnesota Twins 8-6, according to AP News.
The game was a wild one. It featured five home runs, a 67-minute rain and lightning delay, and seven Twins pitchers. Kansas City's win moves the Royals to 24-38, while Minnesota falls to 29-34, per Baseball Reference.
Rojas' Pinch-Hit Single Breaks a 6-6 Tie
Rojas had only signed a minor league deal with Kansas City back in January, according to MLB Trade Rumors. He was called up hours before first pitch to cover for injuries at second base. He didn't play a single inning in the field. Instead, manager Matt Quatraro sent him up to hit for Nick Loftin in the 9th with the bases loaded.
Rojas had been hot in Triple-A Omaha — hitting .303 with 5 home runs in his last 20 games before the call-up, per MLB Trade Rumors. That momentum carried over. His two-run single gave Kansas City an 8-6 lead. Alex Lange came in and recorded the final three outs to earn his second save of the year, according to Covers.
Byron Buxton, Kody Clemens Power Twins' Early Offense
The Twins drew first blood fast. Byron Buxton crushed a 429-foot leadoff home run — his 18th of the season — in the 1st inning, per MLB.com. Minnesota eventually built a 5-3 lead in the 5th inning when Kody Clemens hit his second solo home run of the game.
Kansas City answered in the 6th. Carter Jensen hit a two-run double, then scored on an error by shortstop Ryan Kreidler to give the Royals a 6-5 lead, according to Newsday. But Victor Caratini hit a solo homer after the rain delay to tie the game at 6-6 and set the stage for Rojas.
Rain Delay and a Seven-Pitcher Bullpen Day Doom Minnesota
The game stopped in the middle of the 6th inning for 67 minutes due to rain and lightning, per AP News. The Twins were already running on fumes. Minnesota entered the game with a string of starting pitcher injuries and used a bullpen-day opener strategy, burning through seven pitchers total, according to FanGraphs.
Taylor Rogers took the loss, falling to 1-3. He was charged with the two runs that scored on Rojas' single. Matt Strahm picked up the win for Kansas City, improving to 2-1 after a clean relief outing, per Newsday. Twins fans were quick to criticize the bullpen management online, calling the June stretch a "collapse."
Rojas' Role Could Grow as Royals Face Infield Injuries
The Royals called up Rojas because their infield depth is thin. Maikel Garcia is dealing with a hamstring injury. Jonathan India had season-ending shoulder surgery. Kansas City's second basemen had combined for a .201 batting average — the worst mark in the league — before Thursday's game, per MLB Trade Rumors.
With a clutch debut already in the books, Rojas is likely to earn regular playing time at second base. If he stays on the active roster through the end of the season, he would reach six years of major league service time and become a free agent, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
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