Andrew Benintendi has been the best, most consistent hitter in the Kansas City Royals’ lineup all season. He’d been the hands-down answer to the question of who the Royals would want at the plate if they needed a hit or someone to get on base.
But Benintendi had cooled off considerably as of late. He entered June batting .328 with a .395 on-base percentage. Since the calendar flipped, he’s batted .188 (9 for 48) with a .250 OBP in the 12 games leading up to Wednesday.
That recent slide didn’t deter Royals manager Mike Matheny from turning to Benintendi as a pinch hitter to lead off the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Giants with the score tied. Benintendi delivered with a double that set the Royals offense into motion to produce the game-winning run.
