Royals' Tolbert Breaks Franchise Record, Ties MLB Mark With 12 Straight Hits

Royals' Tyler Tolbert ties MLB record with 12 hits in 12 at-bats

The 28-year-old is hitting .396 with 2 HR, 5 RBI and 9 SB in 32 games, becoming a bright spot for the struggling 38-54 Royals.

Tyler Tolbert goes 12-for-12, ties MLB mark in Royals win over Mets...

Kansas City Royals utility man Tyler Tolbert tied an MLB record on Tuesday, going 12-for-12 at the plate during the Royals’ 16-11 win over the New York Mets.

The 28-year-old got there with a two-run homer off Kodai Senga in the second inning, then followed it with four straight singles to match the mark.

Tolbert had one more chance to set the record in the top of the ninth, but came up short. He now shares the MLB mark with Jose Miranda of the Twins in 2024, Walt Dropo of the Tigers in 1952, Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox in 1938, and Johnny Kling of the Cubs in 1902.

Tyler Tolbert ties an MLB record with hits in 12 straight at-bats! pic.twitter.com/vldHYDmkdw

— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2026

Tolbert had one more chance to set the record in the top of the ninth, but came up short. He now shares the MLB mark with Jose Miranda of the Twins in 2024, Walt Dropo of the Tigers in 1952, Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox in 1938, and Johnny Kling of the Cubs in 1902.

Tolbert homered in his first at-bat, giving him homers in back-to-back games. That also pushed his season total to two.

His single to right for his ninth straight hit set a new Royals franchise record.

After the homer and four singles on the night, Tolbert is now hitting .396 on the year. Through 32 games he also has 2 home runs, 5 RBI and 9 stolen bases.

Tyler Tolbert has a hit in 9 straight at-bats 😯 https://t.co/j2oAUk3XiX pic.twitter.com/Y0N1SreT0X

— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2026

Tolbert is coming off a five-hit performance just a day earlier.

Even though he’s 28, this is only his second season in the majors. In 2025 he hit .280 with 1 home run, 6 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a .701 OPS across 64 games.

The Alabama native was batting .333/.383/.429 in 31 games at Triple-A this year. He’s quickly become a rare bright spot for a Royals team that’s been struggling.

Kansas City sits at 38-54, just one game ahead of the AL-worst Angels at 36-55.