Royals throttle Cards but see Bobby Witt Jr. exit game

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th June, 23:18 2026

Jun 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone (14) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Bobby Witt Jr. homered and was one of seven Kansas City players with at least two hits -- but later exited with right knee discomfort -- while Salvador Perez's solo shot made him the all-time home run leader at Kauffman Stadium as the host Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 14-6 on Thursday night.

The star shortstop injured himself going into the hole to field Jordan Walker's RBI infield single in the fourth. Witt finished the inning but was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the frame.

Witt's departure overshadowed a potent night for the Royals, who set season highs for runs and hits (17), while posting eight doubles, including a club-record five during their six-run second inning.

Meanwhile, Perez had three hits and his 137th homer at home -- a 385-foot shot to left in the sixth inning -- broke George Brett's record to give Kansas City a 12-4 lead. Starling Marte also had three hits and Jac Caglianone clubbed a two-run homer for Kansas City, now 2-2 versus St. Louis this season.

Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt each had three hits while Jose Fermin added two with two RBIs for the Cardinals, who recorded 13 hits but stranded 15 runners.

St. Louis wasted no time getting to the Royals' Noah Cameron (4-4) in the first. Wetherholt singled, advanced when Ivan Herrera walked, and scored on Walker's grounder that went under Witt's glove. A walk to ex-Royal Nelson Velazquez loaded the bases, then Alec Burleson delivered a sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the first, Witt sent a Matthew Liberatore pitch over the left field wall.

Perez opened the Royals' second with a double off the right field wall. Kansas City then went ahead after RBI doubles from Carter Jensen and Isaac Collins, who scored when Velazquez dropped Michael Massey's fly ball to left. A run-scoring double from Lane Thomas and Witt's RBI hit followed.

Marte's double down the right field line scored Witt for a 7-2 Royals lead and chased Liberatore (3-4), who was charged with seven runs -- five earned -- over 1 2/3 innings.

The Royals scored four more in the fourth. After Caglianone's homer with a man on, Nick Loftin's two-run double made it 11-3.

Cameron allowed four runs -- three earned -- and eight hits with two walks, while striking out six in five innings.

--Field Level Media

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