Witt turns 24 -- and turns 'incredible,' 'unbelievable' DP

LOS ANGELES -- Bobby Witt Jr. saw his hit streak end at 14 games when he went 0-for-4 in the Royals’ 4-3 series-opening loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.

But that doesn’t mean the Royals’ superstar shortstop didn’t have some impact on the game.

In fact, his most impactful play might have been because he wasn’t getting anything done offensively.

On his 24th birthday, Witt showed why he is among baseball’s best shortstops and made perhaps the most impressive play in his highlight reel of defensive gems.

With the game tied at three apiece in the bottom of the seventh inning, Royals starter Cole Ragans issued a leadoff walk to Teoscar Hernández. Then, Andy Pages lifted a soft blooper into left-center field -- into what looked like no man’s land for the Royals’ defense.

Left fielder MJ Melendez was racing in, and Witt was racing back, looking over his shoulder. He didn’t hear Melendez call him off, so Witt tracked the ball and made a basket catch to secure the first out.

Then, Witt turned and fired a perfect throw to second baseman Nick Loftin, who turned it to first base to double off Hernández. Ragans, who threw seven strong innings with three runs allowed, was fired up on the mound; the Royals’ dugout erupted into cheers.

Witt jogged back to his spot on the dirt to get ready for the next pitch.

“Cole was pitching his tail off, so just wanted to make something happen for him,” Witt said. “Because I didn’t do anything at the plate for him. So I was just trying to make something happen. I was able to get a good jump on it a little bit, and I knew there was a chance that he was going to be off first base, so just try to get it to Loftin as quick as you can. And Loftin was ready to make the play.”

That is perhaps what stands out the most about Witt, who is having an All-Star and MVP-type year so far both offensively and defensively. He recognized the importance of the play and answered questions about it postgame, knowing not many others can play that type of defense.

But he was more focused on how it helped the team because he was frustrated with his night at the plate. And frustrated with the Royals’ loss, their fifth in the last six games. Freddie Freeman’s soft liner into center field off reliever Will Smith gave the Dodgers the lead in the eighth and represented Smith’s first run allowed since May 22. It was technically unearned, but it came moments after Smith allowed a runner to reach second on an errant pickoff throw to first base.

“That’s 100 percent on me,” Smith said. “... That’s probably the one we want back. I was happy with all the pitches I threw tonight. It’s a hard game. That’s the one you want back tonight.”

Nobody surrounding Witt hid their disbelief at that play, though.

“There are just not too many guys that have the ability to make that play and the arm strength to double off Teo, who was kind of in no-man’s land because it was a tweener play,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But I’m glad we kept Bobby Witt at bay tonight and hopefully, he stays cold. Because he’s a special player.”

“Incredible,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro added. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before. Occasionally, you see a shortstop go back and make that throw all the way, but the heads up to hit Loftin, and Loftin being heads up to throw it to first. That was just an incredible play.”

Ragans, who allowed three runs on two homers in the fifth inning, was pumped because it helped him erase the leadoff walk and eventually get out of the inning. It might have been one of the best plays Ragans has ever seen, he said.

“That’s huge,” Ragans said. “It’s a tie game, that’s a tough play, and he made it look pretty dang easy. … He does things every day that [are] just unbelievable. Honestly, things don’t even surprise me anymore, because he’s just that good.”

Royals catcher Salvador Perez agreed.

“I don’t see many plays like that,” said Perez, who homered to give the Royals a lead in the fourth inning but exited the game in the eighth because of right knee discomfort. “He’s a special kid. And he’s one of the best players in the game right now.”

And Witt only just turned 24 years old.

“That’s unbelievable,” Perez said. “I feel old.”