All Bobby Witt Jr. could do was take a deep breath, trust his preparation and simplify the moment.
Then, he let his talent play.
With the bases loaded, two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday night, the Royals’ star shortstop uncorked a swing on a 101.8 mph inside fastball from Twins closer Jhoan Duran, sending it 414 feet into the left-center seats at Kauffman Stadium for a walk-off grand slam that sent the Royals to an 8-5 victory
“Slow down the game, let him come to me and not try to make something happen,” Witt, who went 4-for-5 with six RBIs, said. “Make sure that he makes a pitch I can handle, be on time, get the foot down and put the barrel down. Let him provide the power.
After Royals closer Scott Barlow blew a save in the ninth, the Royals mounted a comeback in the 10th. They loaded the bases for Witt, who started his at-bat against Duran by chasing a curveball. Then he chased a fastball. Fouled off another fastball. Laid off a couple of curves in the dirt. On the seventh pitch, Duran threw a heater inside.