Kyle Isbel gave Kansas City a jolt Friday night, and he did it with a bat that fit the theme of the moment.
Using a Buzz Lightyear model for Players’ Weekend, the Royals center fielder launched a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning and helped push Kansas City to a 5-2 win over the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. The victory was the Royals’ sixth straight, their longest run of the season.
Isbel had a few custom bats made for Players’ Weekend and went with the Buzz Lightyear design because his son, Lane, loves Toy Story. MLB is highlighting what makes players unique this weekend, and several Royals leaned into that idea with personalized cleats, gloves, belts and bats.
The swing itself was clean and decisive. Tigers starter Troy Melton left a 2-1 fastball in the zone, and Isbel made him pay, driving it a Statcast-projected 387 feet into the right-field seats. It was his fifth homer of the year and his second since returning from the injured list on Aug. 2 after missing nearly two months with left plantar fasciitis.
There was more from Isbel than just the long ball. After a slow start following the IL stint, he has now collected a hit in six of his last nine games. Friday also brought a multi-hit night, capped by an RBI double in the eighth that added some cushion for reliever Nate Pearson heading into the ninth.
His value showed up on defense, too. One inning after the homer, Isbel ran down Kevin McGonigle’s fly ball at the warning track in right-center field, covering plenty of ground to preserve Kansas City’s lead.
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