How missed opportunities cost Royals in Saturday’s loss to Chicago White Sox
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Michael Wacha allowed one run with seven strikeouts but took a no decision.
- Carter Jensen extended his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games with an RBI.
- White Sox won on Jacob Gonzalez’s walk-off single after loading the bases.
The Kansas City Royals needed a quality start. After being outscored 40-6 in their last three games, the Royals couldn’t afford to overextend their bullpen.
Enter Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha.
Wacha allowed one run in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at the Chicago White Sox. He scattered five hits while striking out seven batters.
“Obviously, you are aware of the bullpen day yesterday,” Wacha told reporters in Chicago. “You know, as a starter, we try to get as deep as we can every time we go out there.”
In the eighth inning, Wacha also reached a career milestone. He struck out White Sox catcher Kyle Teel on a 95.7 mph fastball to record his 1500th career strikeout.
Meanwhile, the White Sox didn’t have many opportunities. Wacha efficiently navigated the same Chicago lineup that posted 22 runs in Friday’s game against the Royals. He did so with his patented changeup and mix of off-speed pitches.
“Incredible,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters of Wacha. “Efficient and stuff was great. Sinker, four-seam (fastball), everything was good. He goes 7 and 2/3 (innings) and still was at 100 pitches. It was exactly the kind of performance you expect from him against a team that’s swinging the bat well. It was really impressive.”
Wacha recorded 52 swings and 11 whiffs in the start. The White Sox swung early in multiple counts and Wacha got some defensive help.
Royals second baseman Michael Massey, for example, made two key plays in the second inning. And Salvador Perez threw out White Sox outfielder Braden Montgomery in the fifth.
However, neither team could find much offensive rhythm. And despite his strong effort, Wacha wound up with a no decision.
“I thought everything was really good,” Wacha told reporters. “I thought me and Sal (Perez) were in a great spot and we were executing a lot of pitches where we wanted it to be. Getting a lot of weak contact and swing-and-miss at times. I thought it was a pretty good day out there.”
The Royals scored their lone run in the seventh. Carter Jensen extended his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games. His two-out RBI single gave the Royals a slim lead.
However, the Royals failed to add more as Nick Loftin ran through a stop sign and was tagged out at third base to end the seventh inning.
“You got to pick up (Royals pitching coach) Vance (Wilson) there,” Quatraro said of the play. “It was clear, to me, that he had the stop sign up.”
The baserunning mistake was costly. Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. was left standing on deck with a chance to increase the lead.
And there were other missed chances. The Royals left two runners in scoring position in the second inning. Both John Rave and Loftin struck out against White Sox starter Davis Martin.
Loftin also couldn’t get a safety squeeze down in the seventh. However, Jensen’s RBI single negated the mistake in the frame.
Martin also earned a no decision. He didn’t allow a run in 5 1/3 innings.
“They did a good job pitching well,” Quatraro said. “I mean, Martin has been good all year. The bullpen did a really good job. We had an opportunity early that we didn’t capitalize on, and then in the seventh, hopefully we can get more than one there. That’s all we were able to get.”
The White Sox tied the game in the seventh. Braden Montgomery recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Then, the game became a bullpen battle. Those have not been turning out well for the Royals.
Chicago turned to hard-throwing reliever Grant Taylor, and he retired six consecutive batters across two innings. His strong work set the stage for the ninth inning where the White Sox needed a run to win the game and the series outright.
After loading the bases, White Sox first baseman Jacob Gonzalez hit a walk-off single off Royals reliever John Schreiber to win the game. The ball got away from Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who made an attempt to keep it on the infield.
“I think nine times out of 10, I make that play too at the end,” Witt told reporters. “So it’s frustrating. Those are the fun ones. Those are the games that you want to be in. ... Just got to be able to make that play. Be able to see what happens after that.”
The Royals dropped to 34-50 this season. They have lost four consecutive games on their seven-game road trip.
Loftin also left the game in the ninth. He was hit by a baseball in the groin after trying to field a throw from Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV.
“He’s just being evaluated right now,” Quatraro said. “Hopefully, we can know a little bit more. He is in some pain.”
Meanwhile, Chicago (43-38) won a franchise-record 10th consecutive home series. They are 16-9 against the American League Central.
What’s next: Royals right-hander Luinder Avila (3-3, 5.06 ERA) will start Sunday’s series finale opposite left-hander Anthony Kay (6-2, 4.24 ERA) at Rate Field. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. Central Time.
This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 6:02 PM.
