KC Royals fall to White Sox, but Bobby Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino offer silver lining
After scoring a season-high 12 runs Monday night, the Kansas City Royals were silenced in a 4-2 loss against the Chicago White Sox.
The Royals squandered a few opportunities at the plate, including a crucial sequence in the sixth inning. Facing a one-run deficit, the Royals loaded the bases against White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito.
Royals standout Vinnie Pasquantino stood at first following an RBI single. Then, Royals batters Maikel Garcia and MJ Melendez both drew walks. This represented Kansas City’s best scoring chance of the night.
However, the Royals failed to cash in.
Giolito worked around the threat in order. He induced third baseman Hunter Dozier to hit an infield fly. Later, Royals catcher Freddy Fermin grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
“He made really good pitches and he was tough all night,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “In that sixth, when we got the bases loaded, he went and executed. He didn’t miss any spots. He was right at the top or just above the zone on the fastballs. He kept the breaking balls just below or at the bottom. He really executed there.”
The loss compounds a terrific effort by Royals starter Jordan Lyles.
The veteran right-hander turned in a complete game in defeat. He allowed four runs on six hits and collected six strikeouts. Lyles threw 78 of 112 pitches for strikes. It was his best effort this season after allowing 11 runs in his last two starts.
“I felt pretty good,” Lyles said. “Obviously, we were pretty efficient all night. Not too many taxing innings.”
Lyles credited his changeup as an adjustment he made from previous starts. He threw 10 changeups throughout to keep the White Sox off balance at the plate.
“It was a fresh look for hitters,” Lyles said. “Both breaking balls, for the most part, were pretty good. Just a couple hanging sliders. ... They made me pay on a couple bad breaking balls and next thing you know, that’s all they needed.”
Lyles fell to 0-6 on the season. He recorded his third career complete game and the first by a Royals pitcher since Brad Keller’s shutout during the 2020 campaign. Run support has also eluded him as the Royals have scored two runs or fewer in six of his eight starts.
The White Sox evened the series and snapped the Royals two-game winning streak with the victory. The Royals fell to 10-27 with the loss.
Vinnie Pasquantino continues power surge
The hits keep coming for Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. In the first inning, Pasquantino deposited an 83.5 mph slider into the right-field seats. It was his seventh home run this season as he continued to find a rhythm at the plate.
Later in the game, Pasquantino added to his strong night. He drove home Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr with a bloop RBI single as the Royals cut into a two-run deficit.
Pasquantino entered Tuesday’s matchup with a .333 average in his last seven games. During that span, he logged a .708 slugging percentage with eight hits, two home runs and seven RBIs.
Bobby Witt Jr. dazzles with stellar defensive play
Bobby Witt Jr. added to his highlight reel against the White Sox. In the fifth inning, Witt showcased his exceptional range by robbing White Sox third baseman Hanser Alberto of a base hit.
Witt corralled a line drive in the outfield grass. He threw out Alberto by a step ahead of the first-base bag. This season, Witt has committed just two errors and entered play with a .982 fielding percentage.
“Yeah, so just off the bat with just knowing what type of hitter Alberto is, kind of pulls the ball sometimes, and then just saw it off the bat pretty good and then I was able to make a play on it,” Witt said. “So when I got it, I knew I just had to get rid of it as quick as I can, keep it low. I know Vinnie had my back over there.”
What’s next: The Royals continue their four-game series against the White Sox. Brad Keller will draw Wednesday’s start against Lance Lynn. Brady Singer heads to the mound on Thursday against Mike Clevinger.
This story was originally published May 9, 2023 at 10:58 PM.
