Witt Jr. hits tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh as the Royals beat the Twins 3-2

Kansas City, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Thursday.

The Royals trailed by a run before rallying for two in the seventh against reliever Cole Sands (1-1).

With one out, Freddy Fermin walked ahead of singles by Drew Waters and Jonathan India, tying the game at 2 before Witt drove a deep fly to center for the lead.

Daniel Lynch IV (2-0) struck out two of three batters faced and Carlos Estévez earned his fourth save.

Twins starter Bailey Ober allowed a first-inning run on three consecutive singles, then settled in to permit just two hits over his final five scoreless frames. He finished six innings, allowing a run on five hits and a walk, striking out four.

Ty France led off the second inning with his second home run of the year, tying the game.

After one-out walks to Trevor Larnach and France, Ryan Jeffers grounded an RBI single up the middle, breaking a 1-1 tie.

Royals starter Michael Wacha tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks, with four strikeouts.

Jonathan India fouled off four consecutive 3-2 pitches before hitting an RBI single to left, tying the game 2-all in the seventh.

Wacha has allowed fewer than three runs in all but one of his eight starts against the Twins.

Returning to Minnesota on Friday, the Twins face Detroit Tigers RHP Reese Olson (1-1, 5.06). Minnesota will recall RHP David Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to make his first start of the season as RHP Pablo López was placed on the Injured List.

The Royals travel to Cleveland, sending LHP Kris Bubic (2-0, 0.00) against Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (1-1, 6.52).

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Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. steals second during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Minnesota Twins right fielder Matt Wallner catches a fly ball for the out on Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Minnesota Twins' Ryan Jeffers hits an RBI single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher John Schreiber throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates on second after hitting a double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Jonathan India is doused by teammates after their baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. watches his sacrifice fly to score one run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died. He was 86.

The club, citing Giusti's family, said he died on Sunday.

The right-hander went 100-93 with a 3.60 ERA in 668 career appearances for five clubs from 1962-77. He began his career as a starter in Houston but had his greatest success with the Pirates, who acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and then moved him to the bullpen full-time.

Giusti led the National League with 30 saves in 1971, then added 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs as the Pirates beat the Giants in the NLCS and then the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in the World Series.

Giusti made his lone All-Star appearance in 1973. He played seven seasons for Pittsburgh, registering 133 saves, which ranks third in franchise history. He split time between Oakland and the Chicago Cubs in 1977 before retiring.

A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played collegiately at Syracuse before being signed by Houston, then an expansion team known as the Colt .45s, as an amateur free agent. He appeared in 22 games as a rookie in 1962, spent all of 1963 in the minors before returning to the majors for good after being called up during the 1964 season.

Giusti is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.

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FILE - Pitcher Dave Giusti, a member of the 1971 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, takes part in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the championship season before of a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets in Pittsburgh, July 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)