Here’s where Royals’ win streak stands — and why they have ’5 horses’ to thank
The Kansas City Royals’ pitching continues to carry the team.
And Wednesday, because of that, KC kept up its string as the hottest team in baseball with a 2-1 home victory against the Chicago White Sox.
On this night, it was right-handed Michael Wacha’s turn to pitch a gem. The veteran was dominant in his seven innings at Kauffman Stadium, allowing just three hits with one walk while striking out five.
“It’s unbelievable,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said of the team’s pitching after the game. “And I’ll keep saying it that we’ve got pretty much five aces, five horses out there throwing.”
Lucas Erceg followed with a scoreless inning, then Carlos Estevez held on during a bumpy ninth to close the near-shutout.
Make no mistake: KC’s pitching has been the primary driver of a winning streak that’s taken place over the last two-plus weeks.
And though the Royals came an eyelash away from their sixth shutout in 12 games — Estevez allowing a ninth-inning run spoiled that — the home dugout will remain plenty happy with this result.
KC has now won five straight, eight of its last nine and also 14 of its previous 16. The Royals also improved their record to 22-16, with those 22 wins tying for the most in the American League as of Wednesday’s final pitch.
Wacha became the latest in a string of KC starters looking to outdo each other with standout efforts. His seven scoreless innings needed just 84 pitches, as he dropped his season ERA to 2.98.
“Somebody goes out there and shoves, we want to back it up with another one and keep that momentum on our side,” Wacha said. “And we’re each other’s biggest fans in that dugout.”
KC has now held its opponent to three or fewer runs in 14 of the last 17 games. During that stretch, the team has combined for a 2.16 ERA.
“It fires you up, really,” Witt said of the team’s rotation. “You’ve just got to do your job (as hitters), get a couple runs, and then we’re in a good spot, just because of how they how they work, and just how they do things. It’s just really, really special.”
The Royals produced their only offense in the fifth, as Witt — following a trip earlier in the day to read to KC elementary school kids — blasted a two-run shot to left, good for his fifth homer of the season.
“Still just fine-tuning things in the swing and trying to get it right,” Witt said. “I was able to be on time and get a pitch.”
Estevez escaped the ninth with some help from his defense.
Chicago’s Miguel Vargas led off with a double, then scored on Luis Robert’s sharp liner to left that looked destined for extra bases.
Royals left-fielder Drew Waters played the ball back-handed off the side wall, however, firing it in to keep Robert at first.
That would be critical.
Matt Thaiss added a single to put runners on first and second before Andrew Vaughn struck out. Brooks Baldwin followed with a chopper up the middle, with Witt ranging far to his left across second base to snag it before flipping to second baseman Michael Massey, who caught it bare-handed for a force out.
With runners on the corners and two outs in a 2-1 game, Estevez struck out Josh Rojas with a high 97 mph heater to end it.
“He’s going to throw strikes, and (the White Sox) were aggressive tonight,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Estevez. “They put a couple good swings on it, but he dialed it up another gear when he needed to.”
Hunter Harvey progress slowed
Royals reliever Hunter Harvey, who was placed on the injured list April 11 with a shoulder injury, played catch Tuesday but was a “little bit sore” afterward, Quatraro reported.
“Nothing alarming, but it was the first time ramping it up, throwing a live BP (bullpen),” Quatraro said. “So we’re going to slow him down a little bit and just let him respond, let him tell us body-wise when he can get back on the mound.”
Quatraro said the team would “play it day by day” to determine when Harvey would return to the mound and continue his rehab.
Harvey, 30, was off to a great start before his ailment, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings this year with seven strikeouts and no walks.
What’s next: The Royals finish their four-game home series with the White Sox on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. during School Day at The K. Left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic will start for KC against right-hander Davis Martin.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM.
