Just enough to keep us on our toes for the Sunday conclusion!
The Chicago White Sox fell 7-5 to the Kansas City Royals in what was almost a historic comeback. However hopeful, the team’s effort in the tenth was insufficient to secure the victory.
The White Sox took an early lead against Michael Lorenzen thanks to Miguel Vargas’ eighth home run of the season, a line-drive rocket to left field for a 2-0 advantage. Nancy Faust took over the organ shortly after, and everything was well.
Mike Vasil got out of an early second-inning jam with a strikeout and a double play, erasing a walk and a single. Unfortunately, the lingering shadow of Salvador Pérez persists into the year 2025, as if we haven’t dealt with him sufficiently. He knotted the game 2-2 with a two-run shot to the left. Vasil was substituted after pitching 3 ⅓ innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and one strikeout. Tyler Alexander, who was acquired today, made his South Side debut in relief and was able to exit the inning after surrendering a walk and a steal.
The Royals’ recurring theme in this game was stranding runners, as they hit into four double plays in six innings.
The Royals’ recurring theme in this game was stranding runners, as they hit into four double plays in six innings.
Lorenzen settled in nicely for the Royals after his first-inning home run, and he ripped through the White Sox from there.
He pitched six innings, allowing one hit, two runs, and seven strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 4.94. Unfortunately, the Royals broke the 2-2 deadlock in the top of the seventh inning, when Mark Canha singled and advanced to second on Kyle Isbel’s brave, two-strike bunt. Drew Waters replaced Canha on the bases, and Jordan Leasure relieved Alexander on the mound. The Royals took a 4-2 lead when Jonathan India doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s single.
But wait! There’s more. In the top of the ninth inning, the Royals increased their lead. After Bryse Wilson issued a dreaded leadoff walk to Waters, a steal and an India single gave Kansas City a 5-2 advantage. Then, of course, Bobby Witt Jr. had a two-run homer since he had been way too quiet during the series.
A 7-2 deficit proved too much to overcome in the bottom of the ninth inning… or did it? Trevor Richards was in the game for the Royals, and a leadoff walk to Mike Tauchman sparked the chaos. Chase Meidroth and Andrew Benintendi hit consecutive singles, and a Vargas walk scored the South Siders’ third run.
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