Royals Spoil White Sox Playoff Push With 5-4 Victory

Maikel Garcia Delivers Go Ahead Hit for Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals played spoiler Wednesday night, rallying past the Chicago White Sox 5-4 to delay Chicago’s bid for a postseason berth. Maikel Garcia delivered three hits and three RBIs, including a tiebreaking, run-scoring double in the seventh inning, as the Royals held on for the victory.

Chicago could have secured its first playoff berth since 2021 with a win over Kansas City combined with a Texas Rangers loss to the New York Mets. Instead, the White Sox will have to wait another day. Kansas City snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 68-90, while Chicago fell to 81-77 and remained one game behind the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, who lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox.

Royals Jump Ahead Early

Kansas City wasted little time putting pressure on Chicago starter Bryan Hudson. The Royals opened the bottom of the first inning with three consecutive singles before Garcia lined a two-run single to right field.

Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a double that scored Garcia, giving Kansas City a 3-0 advantage. Pasquantino later scored when White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery committed a throwing error, pushing the Royals’ lead to 4-0. Hudson recorded just one out while facing five batters and was charged with four runs, three of them earned.

White Sox Answer With Five Run Third Inning Threat

Chicago quickly erased the deficit in the third inning by sending 10 batters to the plate and collecting five hits. Kyle Teel delivered a two-run single, while Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami added RBI hits to bring the White Sox all the way back and tie the game at 4-4.

Kansas City starter Seth Lugo, making his final start of the season, allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out three over 3 1/3 innings. Lugo finished the season having allowed 200 hits, the most in the American League, while his 99 earned runs ranked second.

Garcia Comes Through Again in Seventh

After Chicago had evened the game, Kansas City regained the lead in the seventh. Garcia came through with his third hit of the night, a run-scoring double that put the Royals ahead 5-4. The hit gave Garcia three RBIs for the game and provided the decisive run. Hagen Smith, the fourth of five Chicago pitchers, allowed two hits and the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Connor Thomas earned the victory for Kansas City after striking out one and allowing one hit over two scoreless innings. Steven Cruz then handled the ninth, striking out two to earn his eighth save. Carter Jensen also contributed three singles for the Royals, while Braden Montgomery collected three hits for Chicago.

White Sox Must Wait for Playoff Berth

The loss prevented Chicago from clinching a postseason berth and kept the White Sox one game behind Cleveland in the AL Central with two games remaining in the regular season. Kansas City, meanwhile, earned a victory by playing the role of spoiler and gave its pitching staff and lineup a positive finish to Wednesday’s game.

The White Sox will close the series against the Royals on Thursday. Chicago has not announced a starting pitcher for the series finale, while Kansas City will send right-hander Randy Dobnak to the mound. Dobnak enters with a 3-4 record and a 3.08 ERA.

Thursday Series Finale

The White Sox have not yet named their starter for Thursday’s series finale. The Royals will counter with RHP Randy Dobnak (3-4, 3.08 ERA) as Kansas City looks to close the season with another victory.