The Kansas City Royals crushed Chicago’s pitching late, piling up 11 runs across the fifth and sixth innings on their way to a 12-1 rout of the White Sox at Rate Field.
It started with a solid outing from Royals rookie Ryan Bergert. He allowed just one hit and one run over six innings, escaping a tricky fourth inning after the Sox jumped ahead 1-0 on a Benintendi homer off a backdoor sweeper. Bergert commanded his four-seamer and mixed in a sharp sweeper, limiting hard contact and holding Chicago at bay until the bullpen closed out the deal.
In the fifth, Salvador Perez swung at a high fastball and launched a solo homer to left field, tying the game at 1-1. Kansas City mounted a two-out rally with timely two-out hits, then took advantage of Civale’s exit after Yastrzemski, Isbel, and Frazier helped the Royals load the bases. Bobby Witt Jr., with the bases juiced, lined a two-run single to right, pushing Kansas City in front. Civale’s night ended with the Royals ahead 5-1 after Perez drove in another run with a double.
Tyler Gilbert came on for Chicago and struggled to slow the Royals’ onslaught. Perez delivered again, lining a two-run double to left to make it 7-1, followed by Frazier’s RBI hit to extend the inning. The onslaught continued as Yastrzemski belted a three-run homer in the sixth, crowning an 11-1 cushion for Kansas City.
Bergert would finish after six solid frames, and the Royals bullpen partnered in to finish the job. Jonathan Bowlan pitched in relief, and the offense kept producing. In the eighth, Yastrzemski doubled again as part of a late scoring sequence that pushed the lead to 12-1. An oddity late in the game saw Korey Lee pitch the last two innings for Chicago, while Kansas City gave relief innings to Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV to close it out with a 12-1 final.
Key performances for Kansas City included Salvador Perez going 2-for-4 with a homer, a double, two runs, and three RBIs, and Andrew Benintendi supplying a 3-for-4 effort with a homer, a run, and an RBI. Mike Yastrzemski also provided the late spark with a big home run and continued to be a productive presence in the lineup.
With the win, Kansas City improves to 69-65 and remains three games back in the chase for a wild-card berth. They’ll enjoy a day off before returning home for a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers, kicking off a crucial homestand.
Summary:
– Royals win 12-1 over White Sox at Rate Field
– Bergert: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
– Civale: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
– Perez: 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
– Benintendi: 3-4, HR, R, RBI
– Big fifth and sixth innings produced 11 runs; Yastrzemski’s three-run shot in the sixth capped the outpouring
– Sox used Korey Lee to pitch the last two innings; Royals bullpen also saw action from Zerpa and Lynch IV
– Royals remain in the wild-card hunt with a favorable homestand ahead
Optional note:
– The late-season push is featuring solid starting pitching paired with timely hitting, especially in late innings, which bodes well for Kansas City’s hopes as they close the schedule.