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The first-year manager downplayed the celebration, revealing the players “sprayed champagne in my face, and that’s about it,” before dissecting the nine innings that had just played out in front of him.\n\nBut it’s that managerial style – Quatraro’s laid-back demeanor and focus on the players -- that had Royals players confident before Monday’s game that the rough start would turn around. \n\nAnd itching to celebrate after it did.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":" Witt embracing first trip back to The K","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-03T23:51:05.418Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-04/03/c3c495ac-f5382be9-9e1bd02e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Bobby Witt Jr. grounds a ball past the diving Cavan Biggio for a base hit, scoring MJ Melendez and giving the Royals a 1-0 lead","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:34","slug":"bobby-witt-jr-s-rbi-single-x1421","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-677951","title":"Bobby Witt Jr.","person":{"__ref":"Person:677951"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/h9lim5paiutlvpebwoxe"},"title":"Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI single","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/bobby-witt-jr-s-rbi-single-x1421"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"\"Really special,” Royals infielder Nicky Lopez said of the celebration he and Salvador Perez orchestrated Monday. “This team could do a lot. We have a lot of great guys in this clubhouse, great players. \\[Quatraro\\] understands how hard this game is. He gets it. You can tell how everyone’s loose, everyone’s enjoying themselves. It’s a product of the culture we’re building around here. It’s fun playing for him.\n\n“He deserves it.”\n\nThe Royals entered Monday leading the Majors with a 53.8% hard-hit rate (an exit velocity of 95 mph or harder, according to Statcast) and ranking fourth with a 90.7 mph average exit velocity. 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Infielder Matt Duffy texted a group of them those numbers on Monday morning, urging them to stick with their process. Don’t panic. Hitting coaches Alec Zumwalt and Keoni DeRenne reiterated those numbers in the batting cages early Monday afternoon.\n\nIt paid off Monday night.\n\nMJ Melendez got things started with a double into the right-field corner and scored on Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single -- their first hits of the 2023 season -- to give the Royals their first lead of the year. Kyle Isbel and Hunter Dozier each added an RBI in the first.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-03T23:55:40.11Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/8dceed86-3e90-46ee-913e-6f4b7ec5508b.mp4","type":"video","description":"Hunter Dozier grounds out on a slow roller to short, scoring Michael Massey and extending the Royals' lead to 3-0 in the 1st","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:29","slug":"hunter-dozier-grounds-out-shortstop-bo-bichette-to-first-baseman-brandon","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-641531","title":"Hunter Dozier","person":{"__ref":"Person:641531"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/awbqhldibiko94hgkhkb"},"title":"Hunter Dozier's RBI groundout","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/hunter-dozier-grounds-out-shortstop-bo-bichette-to-first-baseman-brandon"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"\"I thought they were well-prepared,” Quatraro said. “Just listening to what they were saying about how \\[starter José\\] Berríos was going to pitch, what they were looking for. Obviously, they squared some balls up.”\n\nThat was enough cushion for Royals starter Brady Singer, who allowed just one run on two hits in five innings in his season debut. Like so many times last year, Singer took the mound looking to stop a losing streak. Once again, Kansas City relied on its ace.\n\n“I definitely want to try to stop that kind of skid that we’re on there, but just trying to go out and give us a chance to win,” Singer said. “No matter if I have it that night or not. Just try to go out there and help as much as I can.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-04T01:07:47.074Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-04/03/deaa1e81-2c33b85c-96bda5f8-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Brady Singer puts together a strong outing, striking out three while allowing only one run in five innings against the Blue Jays","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:31","slug":"brady-singer-s-strong-start-x9517","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-663903","title":"Brady Singer","person":{"__ref":"Person:663903"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-starting-pitching","title":"highlight reel starting pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight-reel-pitching","title":"highlight reel pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/zgfvdpplpnrnje5esoa5"},"title":"Brady Singer's strong start","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/brady-singer-s-strong-start-x9517"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"And the offense didn’t let up. In the fourth inning, after back-to-back singles from Dozier and Jackie Bradley Jr., the Blue Jays' defense was drawn in considerably against Lopez, anticipating a bunt. So he swung away and ended up on third base with a two-run triple.\n\n“It was funny, I got to third, and \\[Toronto third baseman Matt\\] Chapman was like, ‘I thought you were going to bunt there,’” Lopez said. “I was like, ‘No way, I was thinking about swinging the whole time.’ Which is cool, because I got the freedom to do what I wanted to do.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-04T00:33:53.016Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-04/03/1e3b7d57-7eb6bd6e-bc6f0167-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Nicky Lopez drills a shot into the right-field gap for a triple, scoring two runs and giving the Royals a 5-0 lead in the 4th","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:36","slug":"nicky-lopez-triples-1-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kevin-kiermaier-h","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-670032","title":"Nicky Lopez","person":{"__ref":"Person:670032"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/resc7l7lzfkiihbfhlur"},"title":"Nicky Lopez's two-run triple","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/nicky-lopez-triples-1-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kevin-kiermaier-h"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The Royals went 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position after a 1-for-20 start over the weekend. The top three spots in Kansas City’s lineup -- Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino and Witt -- combined to go 5-for-12 with five RBIs after going 3-for-31 with no RBIs through the first three games.\n\nThe dagger was Melendez’s 113.2-mph, 443-foot home run into the right-center field fountains in the sixth inning -- the hardest and farthest ball he’s hit in his MLB career.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-04T01:20:51.733Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-04/03/317ba972-b5c2a4fb-57115227-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"MJ Melendez drills a two-run home run to right-center field, extending the Royals' lead over the Blue Jays to 9-1 in the 6th","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:37","slug":"mj-melendez-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-center-field-nicky-lopez-scor","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-669004","title":"MJ Melendez","person":{"__ref":"Person:669004"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/logho1sbsgkf45i6r0ep"},"title":"MJ Melendez's two-run home run","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/mj-melendez-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-center-field-nicky-lopez-scor"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“He crushed it,” Quatraro said. “That’s what went through my head.”\n\nWhat went through Melendez’s head? Relief that he was on time.\n\n“Just trying to get the bat out,” Melendez said. “It’s early, so just trying to figure out timing and stuff. It was a great feeling. So just trying to find a pitch I can hit and be on time with it.\n\n“We’re looking forward to many more wins.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-04-04T02:30:08.221Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-04/03/8e08e831-06edf736-34de3006-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Taylor Clarke induces a groundout to end the game and seal Matt Quatraro's first victory as the Royals' manager","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:41","slug":"taylor-clarke-in-play-out-s-to-brandon-belt-zyrbe5","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-664199","title":"Taylor Clarke","person":{"__ref":"Person:664199"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/q6ufbjxw4ajodomlzagz"},"title":"Taylor Clarke seals the victory ","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/taylor-clarke-in-play-out-s-to-brandon-belt-zyrbe5"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/matt-quatraro-earns-first-win-as-manager-against-blue-jays","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"KANSAS CITY -- Matt Quatraro was not overcome with too much emotion after his first managerial win on Monday night. No, those red eyes were from the champagne celebration his players greeted him with in the clubhouse following the Royals’ 9-5 series-opening win over the Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"GameTag","gamePk":718719,"slug":"gamepk-718719","title":"2023/04/03 tor@kc","type":"game"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"anne-rogers","title":"Anne Rogers","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-recap","title":"game 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'He deserves it': Royals laud Quatraro after first win as manager
'He deserves it': Royals laud Quatraro after first win as manager
KANSAS CITY -- Matt Quatraro was not overcome with too much emotion after his first managerial win on Monday night. No, those red eyes were from the champagne celebration his players greeted him with in the clubhouse following the Royals’ 9-5 series-opening win over the Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium
Quatraro had barely washed the Dom Pérignon out of his eyes and changed out of his soaked uniform before entering the Royals’ interview room, but he exuded the same kind of relaxed demeanor he had when the Royals started the season 0-3. The first-year manager downplayed the celebration, revealing the players “sprayed champagne in my face, and that’s about it,” before dissecting the nine innings that had just played out in front of him.
But it’s that managerial style – Quatraro’s laid-back demeanor and focus on the players -- that had Royals players confident before Monday’s game that the rough start would turn around.
"Really special,” Royals infielder Nicky Lopez said of the celebration he and Salvador Perez orchestrated Monday. “This team could do a lot. We have a lot of great guys in this clubhouse, great players. [Quatraro] understands how hard this game is. He gets it. You can tell how everyone’s loose, everyone’s enjoying themselves. It’s a product of the culture we’re building around here. It’s fun playing for him.
“He deserves it.”
The Royals entered Monday leading the Majors with a 53.8% hard-hit rate (an exit velocity of 95 mph or harder, according to Statcast) and ranking fourth with a 90.7 mph average exit velocity. They also ranked third in walk rate at 12.5%.
The offense was primed to break out, and the hitters knew it. Infielder Matt Duffy texted a group of them those numbers on Monday morning, urging them to stick with their process. Don’t panic. Hitting coaches Alec Zumwalt and Keoni DeRenne reiterated those numbers in the batting cages early Monday afternoon.
It paid off Monday night.
MJ Melendez got things started with a double into the right-field corner and scored on Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single -- their first hits of the 2023 season -- to give the Royals their first lead of the year. Kyle Isbel and Hunter Dozier each added an RBI in the first.
"I thought they were well-prepared,” Quatraro said. “Just listening to what they were saying about how [starter José] Berríos was going to pitch, what they were looking for. Obviously, they squared some balls up.”
That was enough cushion for Royals starter Brady Singer, who allowed just one run on two hits in five innings in his season debut. Like so many times last year, Singer took the mound looking to stop a losing streak. Once again, Kansas City relied on its ace.
“I definitely want to try to stop that kind of skid that we’re on there, but just trying to go out and give us a chance to win,” Singer said. “No matter if I have it that night or not. Just try to go out there and help as much as I can.”
And the offense didn’t let up. In the fourth inning, after back-to-back singles from Dozier and Jackie Bradley Jr., the Blue Jays' defense was drawn in considerably against Lopez, anticipating a bunt. So he swung away and ended up on third base with a two-run triple.
“It was funny, I got to third, and [Toronto third baseman Matt] Chapman was like, ‘I thought you were going to bunt there,’” Lopez said. “I was like, ‘No way, I was thinking about swinging the whole time.’ Which is cool, because I got the freedom to do what I wanted to do.”
The Royals went 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position after a 1-for-20 start over the weekend. The top three spots in Kansas City’s lineup -- Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino and Witt -- combined to go 5-for-12 with five RBIs after going 3-for-31 with no RBIs through the first three games.
The dagger was Melendez’s 113.2-mph, 443-foot home run into the right-center field fountains in the sixth inning -- the hardest and farthest ball he’s hit in his MLB career.
“He crushed it,” Quatraro said. “That’s what went through my head.”
What went through Melendez’s head? Relief that he was on time.
“Just trying to get the bat out,” Melendez said. “It’s early, so just trying to figure out timing and stuff. It was a great feeling. So just trying to find a pitch I can hit and be on time with it.