Pitcher’s career night powers Royals to shutout of White Sox. Check out his stats
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- Kris Bubic struck out a career‑high 11 batters in the Royals’ 2-0 win.
- Bubic allowed two hits over seven innings and recorded 45 swings with 17 whiffs.
- Lucas Erceg earned his fourth save in the closer role.
Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic had a special night at the office.
The left-handed starter was in rare form against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on Friday night, setting a career high with 11 strikeouts in the Royals’ 2-0 victory.
“Overall, it was a good day,” Bubic said. “Like I said, somewhat unexpected for me using that many breaking balls to a bunch of righties, but it worked out well.”
Bubic didn’t need much run support. He was in control from the first pitch, dominating the Chicago lineup with a mix of pitches.
He recorded 45 swings and 17 whiffs across seven innings, pounding the strike zone with his four-seam fastball. He got hitters to chase his sweeper and slider, and the off-speed pitches were effective to all four quadrants of the plate.
“I think being able to locate those in zone and get chase on them when you get ahead in counts (was key),” Bubic said. “I think to be able to do both of those successfully was huge tonight.
“I’m not a guy that’s pumping upper 90s or something like that. But that enabled me to get through those middle innings and get some quick outs there.”
The White Sox (5-9) managed just two hits against Bubic. Lenyn Sosa recorded a leadoff double in the fifth inning and Derek Hill added a single in the sixth.
Bubic remained unfazed on the mound. He ended both innings with strikeouts to avoid significant damage.
“Well, he was ahead of everybody,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Bubic’s performance.
This season, he has a 2.50 ERA in three starts. Friday’s effort tied his career-best in innings pitched, and he now has 19 strikeouts over his last 12 innings.
“Just to see the double-digits is nice,” Bubic said. “Pitchers, you always love strikeouts. And you know it’s not going to be like that every game. But when you get the chance to get close or get there, you want to take advantage of it.”
The Royals (6-8) snapped a three-game losing streak. The offense cobbled together two runs as Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI double and Carter Jensen belted his fourth homer of the year.
Witt has collected an extra-base hit in three consecutive days. He entered the home series with just one extra-base this season.
“Just trying to control what I can,” Witt said. “Go up there and swing at good pitches. The rest is out of my hands. So just keep it rolling.”
Jensen didn’t miss a 90.9 mph cutter from White Sox starter Davis Martin in the seventh. Sporting the club’s new City Connect uniform, he went deep over the right-field fence. It was his team-leading fourth homer of the season.
“I didn’t want to waste any time,” Jensen said. “I think, early on, I’ve been getting pitches to hit and I haven’t been doing what I can with them. So I kind of just made the adjustment, if he throws it in my wheelhouse, to just go at it and jump at it. Glad to get a good pitch there and put a good swing on it.”
Martin allowed two earned runs in seven innings and suffered his first loss.
Bubic turned things over to the bullpen late. Royals relievers Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg pitched scoreless innings and Erceg earned his fourth save in the closer’s role to preserve the shutout.
“We feel really good about the bullpen, as well,” Quatraro said. “They’ve been worked hard here early in the year. That’s why it’s nice to get into the seventh (inning) or finish seven (innings) two days in a row. That really helps the pen.”
What’s next: Royals right-hander Michael Wacha will start on Saturday afternoon against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. He’ll oppose veteran right-hander Erick Fedde (0-2, 4.09 ERA). First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. Central Time.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 8:47 PM.
