The Kansas City Royals defeated the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, earning a 4-2 victory in Cleveland. During the game, the Royals turned a unique and rare double play. Guardians first baseman Rhys Hoskins lined a ball to third base with a runner on first base. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia dove for the baseball and the ball deflected off his glove to Bobby Witt Jr., who threw the ball to second base to start a 5-6-4-3 double play. Witt explained the play after the win.

"We've been working on that in pregame work... No I'm kidding," Witt said. "It was cool, like, those reactionary plays, those are the ones you never think of. It just happens. And you play it out. You play this game long enough, some crazy things happen... Pretty fun if you play this game."

It is certainly a play you do not see every day. Witt had great awareness to be ready to make the play after the ball deflected off Garcia's glove. Of course, Witt happens to be one of the best defenders in baseball, so it should not come as a surprise. 

The double play stopped a potential Guardians' rally and helped Kansas City limit Cleveland's offense in the win.

Pitching and defense told the story of the game on Monday at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Royals starter Michael Wacha pitched seven innings of one-run baseball while striking out three hitters. The bullpen ultimately shut the door and Kansas City earned its fifth victory of the new campaign.

Garcia and Witt, who got the aforementioned double play started, both had two hits in the contest. Carter Jensen and Jonathan India both added two hits and they each hit a home run as well.

For the Guardians, Tanner Bibee started the game and allowed one run over 4.2 innings on the mound. He struck out three hitters in the game. Cleveland's usually reliable bullpen had an off-game, as they surrendered three runs following Bibee's departure.

It was a quality all-around win for the Royals. They made a number of strong defensive plays, pitched well and provided just enough offense to emerge victorious on the road. 

Kansas City now trails Cleveland by just a half-game in the American League Central, as the Guardians are 6-5 while the Royals are 5-5 overall. 

Tuesday's contest was initially going to be played at night. However, first pitch was moved up in the day due to expected frigid temperatures in Cleveland. The game is now set to begin at 1:10 PM EST on Tuesday afternoon. 

For the Royals, left-handed starter Noah Cameron will get the ball on Tuesday. Right-handed starter Gavin Williams is set to pitch for the Guardians.