DETROIT -- When Bobby Witt Jr. flashes nearly all his tools on a baseball field, it’s easy to see why scouts and baseball officials believe the 23-year-old can be a multi-time All-Star and one of the faces of the game.

As the Royals’ designated hitter for a day off his feet Monday night, Witt went 2-for-3 with a walk, homer and stolen base in the Royals’ 6-4 series-opening loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Witt was the star offensively, yet the Royals found another painful way to lose -- and in a historic way. Jordan Lyles pitched well enough to earn a win, but he was handed a no-decision when the Tigers scored five in the seventh inning. Lyles exited with no outs and two runners on, only for reliever Taylor Clarke to give up a two-run single, a walk and a three-run home run.

The Royals have not won any of Lyles’ 15 starts to begin the season. That has never been done in the Live Ball Era (since 1920). The veteran starter is 0-11 to begin his career as a Royal.

“Not a good feeling,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Jordan was in control, throwing the ball well. … If they got a couple guys on [in the seventh], we knew we were going to Clarkie. He’s bailed us out of those situations before. I was confident he could do it there too.”

“There were some ups and downs,” Lyles added. “I feel like I say that every time I talk to you after a game.”

It was another quiet and frustrated clubhouse following Monday’s game. But in a season full of struggles, the most important thing for the Royals moving forward is evaluating the young talent. At the center of that evaluation is Witt, who is starting to turn things around at the plate.

Nearly a month ago, when the Royals opened a homestand vs. the Tigers on May 22, Witt and hitting coach Alec Zumwalt went to the field in the early afternoon for early batting practice, and what they worked on has been integral to Witt’s turnaround.

Since May 23, Witt is hitting .308 with eight extra-base hits -- three doubles and five home runs -- 17 RBIs and 12 runs scored. On Monday, he had two of the hardest-hit balls in the game: A 108 mph lineout to center field in the first and a 108.8 mph Statcast-projected 442-foot solo homer in the fourth off Tigers righty Reese Olson, who then gave up a two-run shot to Maikel Garcia later in that inning.

“Most of it is approach-based,” Quatraro said. “Getting into counts, not being aggressive on the first pitch. I think the confidence is building there. I think his timing looks a little better to where he’s able to recognize some pitches instead of just having to make a decision.”

In the fifth, Witt beat out an infield single, which scored the Royals’ fourth run of the night on shortstop Zack Short’s throwing error. Witt then stole his 22nd base of the season, marking his sixth career game with a homer and stolen base.

Even though it’s a small sample size, there's a tangible change to Witt’s success. For one, he’s hitting fastballs at a much better clip. From March 30 (Opening Day) to May 22, Witt slashed .216/.272/.405 (25-for-116) with four homers against fastballs. From May 23 through Monday, he’s slashing .333/.385/.563 (16-for-48) with three homers.

“I don’t think it’s just fastballs, I think it’s when he gets the fastball down in the zone,” Quatraro said. “The fastball up has been tough for him earlier in the year, was tough for him to hit or lay off. Now he’s laying off of it much more effectively and he’s able to get pitches down where he can handle them.”

Witt acknowledges that his timing is better, allowing him to recognize better pitches to hit. He’s doing more machine work early to help with that, but he has also been helped by a mindset change, one that he has said he’s constantly chasing after: Simplify.

“Live in the moment,” Witt said. “Don’t think about too many things. Not get too high when things are going well, not get too low when things aren’t going well. Just try to stay as even-keeled as possible and win every pitch and just battle.”

“Just feeling comfortable and confident,” Witt continued. “Trying to help [win] as much as possible.”

That part, to no fault of Witt’s, hasn’t translated to the field yet.