By MATT PIKE
Kansas City Royals utility speedster Tyler Tolbert tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances helping to power the Royals to a wild 16-12 comeback win over the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Tolbert matched the record set by Chicago’s Johnny Kling in 1902 and equaled by Walt Dropo of the Detroit Tigers in 1952. The second-year player grinned as he walked back to first base following the record-tying hit and the Citi Field scoreboard flashed a graphic noting his accomplishment.
Tolbert went 2-for-2 on Saturday night against Philadelphia before being lifted for a pinch-hitter. Starting at shortstop yesterday in the finale against the Phillies he continued the streak going 5-for-5 with a home run, his first of the season. Batting ninth, the right fielder hit a two-run homer in the second inning and singled in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. Tolbert’s last three hits were infield hits. He flied out in the ninth inning to end the streak.
As A.J. Minter retired Tolbert with the flyout, the remnants of the announced crowd of 32,734 gave Tolbert an ovation, and his teammates applauded while gathering on the top step of their dugout. Every starter except Jac Caglianone had at least one RBI for the Royals, who trailed 9-4 before tying it with five runs in the fifth inning and pushing ahead with a seven-run seventh against Matt Seelinger making his major league debut. The Mets had been 200-1 when scoring 12 or more runs.
Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo, pitching against his former team, was tagged for a career-high nine runs, six earned, giving up nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Beck Way, the Royals’ fourth pitcher, got the final two outs of the seventh inning, earning his first major league win. At the plate, Tolbert scored four runs and drove in two while going 5-for-6 on the night. Lane Thomas went 3 for 4 with four RBI's.
Kansas City and New York continue their series tomorrow. The Royals have yet to announce a starter while Christian Scott (2-1, 3.49 ERA, 60K's) takes the mound for the Mets. First pitch is at 6:10pm, pregame will air at 5:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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