Bobby Witt Jr. reminded Royals fans about his impressive speed on opening day.

On Saturday, he came through with his first signature moment of 2025.

The Kansas City Royals fought from behind against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. A Maikel Garcia home run tied the score at three-all, then the Royals’ superstar shortstop delivered another clutch moment in the seventh inning.

“Any time you get to help the team take the lead, it’s always good,” Witt said. “Just trying to take it pitch by pitch and do what everyone else is doing. They are putting together great at-bats and I’m trying to do the same thing.”

Witt hit an RBI double off Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Pinch runner Dairon Blanco came around to score as KC took a 4-3 lead — the eventual final score at The K.

For much of the game, it was a different story.

Royals starter Seth Lugo didn’t have the best command. He labored through five innings, allowing three runs, three walks and registering four strikeouts. Lugo consistently missed toward his arm side and inside to right-handed hitters.

“A couple of those hits, I was trying to go inside and left them over the middle,” Lugo said. “You know, the breaking balls didn’t have the extra couple of inches at the end of the pitch to get to the bottom of the zone.”

KC’s offense wasn’t much better. Jonathan India and Salvador Perez carried the lineup early. Perez recorded two RBI singles and India reached base three times. Perez also threw out two baserunners attempting to steal.

But then came the clutch moments, from Garcia and Witt. And the Royals held on down the stretch.

Witt, who began 1-for-8 this season, added his first RBI in the biggest moments. KC improved to 1-1 ahead of Sunday’s series finale between American League Central foes.

“We are never out of it, you know,” Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV said. “Obviously, there are times when you want to get ahead and obviously there are going to be times when you are not. I think the ability to come from behind and have confidence coming from behind is going to be huge for us this year.”

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Royals find life with 7th inning rally

Maikel Garcia earned his first start on Saturday. He lined up at third base and hit seventh in the Royals lineup.

In the seventh inning, Garcia ignited the Royals comeback with a solo home run down the left-field line. He hooked an 81.2-mph sweeper off the foul pole as the Royals tied the game at 3 apiece.

“I said it before, I was just looking fastball to try to put the ball in play,” Garcia said. “Get on base and try to tie the game. Maybe steal a base too. I get a homer and I’m glad for that. It feels great when you hit a homer and you help the team to win or tie the game.”

The Royals found a way to build on that momentum. Cavan Biggio singled in the next at-bat. He was replaced by pinch runner Blanco, who scored on Witt’s RBI double.

Garcia’s heroics excited a raucous crowd at Kauffman Stadium and helped the Royals avoid a dreaded 0-2 start to the season.

“Yeah, (Guardians reliever Paul) Sewald is tough,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, he has the up-shoot sinker and (Garcia) put a couple good swings on the ball today. So good for him, that’s a big moment.”

Carlos Estévez notches first save with Royals

The Royals turned to Estévez in the ninth inning on Saturday.

Estévez faced the middle of the Guardians order. He was tasked with retiring Cleveland trio Kyle Manzardo, Carlos Santana and Nolan Jones.

Manzardo walked to put the tying run on base. But Estévez regained his form and induced a force play, ground out and strikeout to end the game.

Afterward, Estévez celebrated by referencing a popular anime series, “Dragon Ball Z.” He reenacted the “Kamehameha” move to cap the victory.

“I started last year,” Estévez said of the celebration. “… I started last year at the beginning of the year. I’m just going to keep it going.”

What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Guardians on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. Right-hander Michael Wacha will make his 2025 regular-season debut in the series finale.