The Kansas City Royals have always been a team that has embraced small ball offensively. They did so in dramatic fashion in Thursday’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox with a walk-off bunt attempt that worked to perfection.
The Royals were able to get runners on first and third base in the bottom of the ninth inning with only one out. Kansas City Catcher Freddy Fermín then came to the plate with a chance to win the game.
A double play would have ended the Royals’ chances and sent the game to extra innings. Instead, Royals manager Matt Quatraro made the bold decision to have Fermín lay down a bunt and send the runner from third home on a squeeze play.
Fermín laid down a beautiful bunt that caused White Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez to bobble the ball as he went to pick it up. Third-base runner Nick Pratto would score easily without a throw and the Royals would win the game on this gutsy bunt attempt.
🚨 WALK-OFF BUNT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xH2cbA5CPz
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2023
It is certainly an unconventional decision by the Royals to attempt this. They received a ton of praise from the MLB world for the decision.
Just making sure everyone saw this walk-off bunt 👀 @Royals pic.twitter.com/HwdKOZaot6
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 11, 2023
The #Royals' first walkoff of the season comes on a bunt by Freddy Fermin! pic.twitter.com/0vaoJV1x4S
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) May 11, 2023
The Royals just won a game with a walk-off BUNT! 🤯😂
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) May 11, 2023
From the walk-off bunt to the frontward Gatorade bath, everything about the Royals' win was perfect 😁 pic.twitter.com/NzqSiFtoMv
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 12, 2023
A walkoff bunt??
A WALKOFF BUNT!!!#MLB #KCRoyals #Royals #MLBTwitter pic.twitter.com/TAjCYD8SRl
— Vendetta Media (@VendettaVSM) May 11, 2023
Fermín received a Gatorade bath following his clutch walk-off bunt. He was asked about it after the game where he said that he just wanted to do whatever the team needed to win.
“This is my first walk-off bunt,” said Fermín via Bally Sports Kansas City on Twitter. “I am excited. Whatever we need to do for the team to win. That’s why we are here.”
Fermin gets his first career Gatorade shower after his walkoff bunt: "Whatever we need to do for the team do for the team to win." #Royals pic.twitter.com/C9FcoOkIHt
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) May 11, 2023
It has not been a great season for the Royals thus far, sitting just 12-27 after Thursday’s win. Things clearly haven’t been clicking, so this innovative decision to generate a game-winning run may become the new norm in Kansas City.
[MLB on Twitter] Photo Credit: Bally Sports