Witt caps Royals' rally in the ninth with the winning hit in a 4-3 victory over the Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the ninth after pinch-hitter Tyler Tolbert hit a tying two-run single, giving the Kansas City Royals a 4-3 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night.

Trailing 3-1, the Royals loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on a catcher's interference call, a single and a walk. Tolbert batted for Kyle Isbel and grounded a single into left off Hogan Harris (3-2) to tie it. Elvis Alvarado replaced Harris and got Isaac Collins to line out before Witt blooped a single into left for the Royals' sixth walk-off win of the season.

The Athletics took an early lead as Zack Gelof drew a first-inning walk, and Jonah Heim drew another to load the bases. Then, Tommy White knocked in the game’s first run with a single to left. A second runner nearly scored, but was thrown out at the plate.

Athletics left-hander Brady Basso exited the game after just one out in the third inning. He gave up two hits and recorded one strikeout in his short, 32-pitch outing.

Jack Perkins inherited one baserunner when he took over, but caught Carter Jensen stealing second. The Royals flew out to end the inning. Perkins also worked around a leadoff walk in the fourth. Perkins held Kansas City to one hit and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings.

Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch IV also made a short appearance. He was replaced before the fifth inning by righty Mason Black.

The Athletics struck again in the sixth, when Jeff McNeil hit RBI single to left field. Lawrence Butler drew a walk to load the bases and Max Muncy pushed across a run with the team’s fifth walk.

Jac Caglianone led off the seventh with a double, then scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s double. Caglianone and Pasquantino each had two hits.

Royals right-hander Carlos Duran (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless ninth.

The Athletics have not yet announced who will pitch Wednesday against Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (5-7, 4.59).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert runs to first after hitting a two-run single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Duran throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Jac Caglianone celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double hit by Vinnie Pasquantino during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — All Aboard.

The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena that will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, received its official welcome on Tuesday at Kinjo Pier in the host city.

The 16-day games open Saturday and run through Oct. 4.

Without a dedicated athletes village, officials are using the cruise ship, hotels and converted containers to house more than 11,000 athletes. That's more than the 10,700 athletes who attended the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“So, today our ship becomes more than a destination,” ship Captain Federico Sias said at the Tuesday ceremony. "It becomes home where athletes and guests from across Asia can come together in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and unity.”

Officials have not released an official count of athletes, but the number could match the 12,000 that participated three years ago in the games in Hangzhou, China.

The Asian Games, first held in 1951 in New Delhi, India, includes 45 countries and regions and 43 sports — many Olympic disciplines and a few regional specialties.

To adjust to the limited space, many teams are expected to stagger arrivals of athletes and officials. Athletes in early events will leave and make way for others.

See full AP coverage of Asian sports here

The Italian cruise ship, the Costa Serena, that will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games, arrives at a port in Nagoya, central Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Kazushi Kurihara/Kyodo News via AP)

The Italian cruise ship, the Costa Serena, that will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games, arrives at a port in Nagoya, central Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Kazushi Kurihara/Kyodo News via AP)

The ceremony for the Italian cruise ship, the Costa Serena, that will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games, seen at background, is held upon the arrival at a port in Nagoya, central Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (Kazushi Kurihara/Kyodo News via AP)

The Italian cruise ship, the Costa Serena, that will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games, is seen in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026. (Kyodo News via AP)