With six shutout innings and only 80 pitches thrown, Cole Ragans exited the Kansas City Royals' first playoff game in nearly a decade with a grimace on his face. His left calf had cramped up, and while he could have returned for the seventh inning of his start against the Baltimore Orioles,

Bobby Witt Jr. has driven in the only run to back Cole Ragans' six sharp innings and help the Kansas City Royals return from a nine-year postseason absence with a 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series.

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11), shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7), first baseman Salvador Perez (13) and second baseman Michael Massey (19) celebrate after a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sept. 24, 2024. Geoff Burke Imagn Images