First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino wowed the baseball world by returning to the Royals lineup Tuesday, less than five weeks after his thumb was broken in a game.

The 24-year-old shortstop who led the majors with 211 hits and a .332 batting average singled home the game's only run in the sixth inning, off the American League’s All-Star starter.

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.