Bubic Takes a Shutout into the Seventh to Pitch Royals Past Orioles 4-1

On a crisp April evening in Kansas City, a pitching performance for the ages was unfolding. Kris Bubic, the 26-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, was putting together the kind of outing that could reshape his season and perhaps his career. Facing a potent Baltimore Orioles lineup that has emerged as one of the most dangerous offenses in the American League, Bubic was nothing short of brilliant.

With the eyes of Royals fans and analysts alike glued to the mound, Bubic took a shutout into the seventh inning, guiding his team to a 4-1 victory over the Orioles. His performance, which included 6.2 innings of one-run ball, struck a chord with the Royals faithful and sent a resounding message about the potential for both the young pitcher and the team as a whole.

Early Expectations for Bubic

Kris Bubic’s journey to this moment has not been a straight line. Drafted by the Royals in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Bubic came with high expectations as a polished lefty with a deep pitch mix and a reputation for command. However, his time in the majors had been a rollercoaster ride up until now.

In his first two seasons in Kansas City, Bubic flashed glimpses of his talent, but inconsistencies plagued him. His 2022 campaign, for example, was a mix of promise and struggle. His ERA ballooned to 5.58 in 26 appearances, and he struggled to find consistency in his command, often walking batters at a concerning rate.

But 2023 brought a new approach. After an offseason spent refining his mechanics and focusing on controlling his fastball and breaking pitches, Bubic entered spring training with renewed confidence. Royals management, impressed by his improvements, penciled him into the rotation for the start of the 2023 season.

His outing against the Orioles was the perfect culmination of that hard work.

A Slow Start for the Orioles

The Orioles entered this game as one of the hottest teams in baseball, a squad brimming with confidence after finishing with a winning record in 2022 and making a surprise run into playoff contention. Their lineup was feared, with young stars like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Austin Hays leading a high-powered offense. However, Bubic was determined to make them look ordinary.

From the outset, Bubic commanded the strike zone. The Orioles’ lineup, which had been scoring runs at an impressive clip, was stifled by his precise pitching. The first few innings were quiet, as Bubic kept hitters off balance with a mix of fastballs, sliders, and changeups, none of which were easy to square up. He retired the side in order in the second and third innings, setting the tone early.

Though the Orioles’ offense did manage to get a few base runners on, Bubic’s composure on the mound was evident. His ability to escape danger with minimal damage highlighted his poise and understanding of the moment. By the time the fourth inning rolled around, it was clear that the Royals’ starter was locked in, and it became a matter of how long he could maintain his shutout.

The Royals Take Control

While Bubic kept the Orioles at bay, the Royals offense gave him the support he needed. In the bottom of the second inning, a solo home run by Bobby Witt Jr. off Orioles starter Kyle Gibson set the tone. Witt’s blast, which traveled deep into the Kansas City night, not only gave the Royals a 1-0 lead but also seemed to energize the crowd.

The Royals weren’t done there. In the fourth inning, they tacked on another three runs. A two-out rally was started by MJ Melendez, who reached base with a single. He was followed by a walk from Hunter Dozier, setting the stage for a key moment in the game. With two outs, veteran catcher Salvador Pérez stepped to the plate. With a full count, Pérez hammered a double into the right-center field gap, driving in both Melendez and Dozier.

At that point, the Royals had taken a 3-0 lead, and the pressure began to mount on the Orioles. While Bubic had been cruising, the two-run cushion made it all the more likely he could finish what he had started. The Royals added one more insurance run in the fifth inning when Witt singled and later scored on a Melendez groundout, making it 4-0.

Bubic’s Masterclass

As the Royals extended their lead, Bubic continued to operate with precision. His fastball, once considered a potential liability, had become a weapon. It sat comfortably in the low-90s and was complemented by an effective slider that darted in and out of the strike zone. The Orioles hitters, known for their patience and power, were left to chase pitches they couldn’t handle.

Through the first six innings, Bubic had not given up a single earned run. His defense behind him was sharp, with third baseman Maikel Garcia making several key plays. But it was Bubic’s control that was most impressive—he did not issue a walk, showcasing just how far he had come in terms of improving his command.

The shutout bid, however, was ultimately broken in the seventh inning.

The Seventh-Inning Breakdown

As Bubic entered the seventh inning, there was a sense of anticipation. Would he complete the game, or would the Orioles finally break through? After retiring the first batter, Bubic allowed a single to Ryan Mountcastle. He then induced a flyout from Jorge Mateo for the second out, but with two outs and Mountcastle standing on first, Adley Rutschman stepped to the plate.

Rutschman, one of the most dangerous young hitters in the league, worked Bubic to a 2-2 count before driving a solid single into left field. Mountcastle, who had been off with the pitch, was waved around third base, and though the throw from left fielder Drew Waters was strong, Mountcastle was safe at the plate, cutting the Royals’ lead to 4-1.

Despite the blemish on his line, Bubic’s outing remained an impressive one. After allowing the run, he was pulled from the game in favor of the bullpen. However, his performance up until that point had already earned him the win, and the Royals’ bullpen held firm the rest of the way.

The Bullpen Closes it Out

With Bubic’s 6.2 innings of work completed, the Royals turned to their bullpen to finish the job. Scott Barlow, the Royals’ trusted closer, was called upon to get the final out in the seventh inning. After allowing a walk, Barlow regained control and struck out the final batter of the frame, leaving the Orioles with no more opportunities.

The eighth inning saw an efficient performance from Jose Cuas, who struck out two batters and allowed no hits. In the ninth, Barlow returned to the mound to close it out. Despite giving up a two-out double to Gunnar Henderson, Barlow remained unfazed and struck out Mountcastle to secure the 4-1 victory for the Royals.

A Big Moment for Bubic and the Royals

The victory was huge for the Royals, who had been struggling to find consistency early in the season. For Bubic, the performance was a validation of his offseason work and a potential turning point in his career. Having been a reliable option in the past but never truly dominant, Bubic’s shutout bid against one of the league’s best lineups was a testament to his growth as a pitcher.

Kansas City manager Mike Matheny praised Bubic’s effort postgame, saying, “It’s a big night for Kris. He showed what he’s capable of when he’s at his best. This is the kind of outing we’ve been waiting to see from him.”

Looking Ahead

As the Royals move forward, this game could be a defining moment for Bubic. The Royals, despite their ups and downs in recent seasons, have been building toward something bigger, and performances like this could be a sign that they are closer to becoming contenders than many realize. With the youth on their roster and the potential for their pitching staff to take a step forward, the Royals might be able to surprise some people in the coming months.

For Bubic, the key will be consistency. If he can continue to build on this outing and refine his mechanics even further, there’s no telling how high his ceiling can go. He has already shown flashes of being a top-tier pitcher, and games like this could be the stepping stone he needs to realize that potential.

In a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Kris Bubic proved that he belongs among the top pitchers in the Royals’ rotation. With a dazzling performance that saw him take a shutout into the seventh inning, Bubic showed that his offseason adjustments are paying off. With the Royals’ offense providing timely runs and the bullpen doing its job, this victory was a complete team effort. As the season progresses, Kansas City will hope that this performance is a sign of things to come for their young pitcher and the team as a whole.