Bobby Witt Jr. took the blame for allowing the go-ahead run to score in last night’s loss:
“In that situation, you lose the game for the team,” said Witt, who just a day earlier made an incredible diving play to take a hit away. “Made a mistake. It’s unacceptable for me. Unacceptable for that to happen to my teammates and [Lucas] Erceg on the mound. It’s just not who I am. I’ve got to be better.
“I got to, 99 out of 100 times, make that play.”
Keith Law provides a scouting report on recent callup Carter
Jensen ($):
Jensen is a strong defensive catcher who’s always shown good feel for the strike zone as a hitter, but this year he took a big step forward at the plate, hitting .292/.360/.420 in Double A and then .288/.404/.647 in 43 games in Triple A, although his strikeout rate of 28.2 percent at the higher level was a career worst.
The Royals haven’t gotten much production from behind the plate this year, with Salvador Perez regressing back to replacement level and playing worse as the season wears on, so Jensen doesn’t have to hit that much to contribute, and as a left-handed hitter he could at least start against better right-handers to give Perez time off.
The Star has a story on his Royals fandom in case you want to feel old ($):
Carter Jensen couldn’t believe his eyes. A looming figure captivated his attention and left him with an audible gasp. Everything around him went silent. Jensen was witnessing history. Nearly 11 years ago, Jensen made the short drive from his childhood home to Kauffman Stadium. It was no more than 20 miles away — his family lived north of KC in the Platte County area. And yet, this particular road trip felt like a dream. Jensen, like most hardened Royals fans at the time, was concerned and a little uneasy. Still, he put on a brave face as he approached his seats at The K. The Royals had to win. It was Game 6 of the 2014 World Series, and longtime Royals manager Ned Yost was handing the baseball to young starter Yordano Ventura. Ventura needed to pitch the game of his life. The Royals trailed the San Francisco Giants 3-2 in the series. A win would force an all-important Game 7.
Kevin O’Brien at The Royals Reporter has not liked what he has seen from the Royals this week:
Losing to the Angels at home in front of a Kauffman crowd not used to meaningful September baseball over the past three decades is unacceptable. Scoring one run against a rookie starting pitcher with a 92 TJ Stuff+ is intolerable. Giving outs on the bases with blunders and mental mistakes is unforgivable at this time of the season.
The Royals need to be better.
Framber Valdez denied intentionally crossing up his catcher in Tuesday’s loss.
The Orioles hit three straight homers for the second time this season.
In that same game, Mason Miller threw an immaculate inning with only sliders.
The Rockies have found some new and innovative ways to lose this season.
Which pitchers throw the most meatballs?
The bookie at the center of last year’s Shohei Ohtani betting scandal told his story to Rolling Stone ($).
Boston outfielder Roman Anthony is headed to the IL with an oblique injury and will likely miss the rest of the regular season.
Milwaukee right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller will likely undergo Tommy John surgery.
Houston right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is headed to the IL with an elbow injury.
The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly skirted NBA salary cap rules with payments to star forward Kawhi Leonard.
American Amanda Anisimova knocked out #2-seeded Iga Świątek to advance to the US Open Semifinals.
The NFL is expanding replay review to cover more penalties.
The authorities think they can shut down sports streaming piracy. They are wrong.
Instagram will finally be available on the iPad.
The monoculture was nowhere to be found this summer.
How city design influences how much people walk.
Your song of the day is Down In A Hole by Alice In Chains.
