Jordan Lyles had two bad innings and it was enough for the White Sox to take game two of the series.
For the second day in a row, Chicago has been able to limit the Royals’ offense. After being shut out on Friday night the Only Royals run came off the bat of Salvador Perez. Perez drove a low and away slider 372 feet for a solo home run out to left center field. Kansas City did have a chance to score but did not respond with runners in scoring position.
Chicago immediately responded at the bottom of the first. Yoan Moncada drove in two runs on a single giving Chicago a one-run lead. Lyles did respond by 13 of the next 15 batters out. He once again got into trouble in the sixth inning.
Lyles was pulled from the game in the sixth inning. Lyles loaded the bases after without giving up a hit. Andrew Benintendi walked, Luis Robert Jr. reached on catcher interference and Moncada walked.
With no outs in the inning, the Royals pulled Lyles and sent in Jose Cuas. Cuas struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. With Jake Burger up to the plate, he drive a ball out to right field that would roll all the way to the wall. His double allowed all three base runners to score giving the White Sox a four-run lead. The White Sox added three runs on one hit.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the free bases hurt Kansas City.
“You look up after five its 2-1 those walks in the sixth inning kinda came back to bite us,” Quatraro said.
After taking the lead Chicago turned to their bullpen. They were able to keep the Royals off base only allowing one hit in three shutout innings.
Kansas City had two chances to start a rally. The first came in the fourth inning.
The inning started with Vinnie Pasquantino lining out to second base. Back-to-back singles put Perez and Melendez on first and second. Maikel Garcia struck out and Nick Pratto walked to load the bases. The scoring opportunity ended quickly as Fermin would strike out swinging.
The second opportunity came in the sixth inning. Nick Pratto got on base for the third time of the day with a single to left field. Freddie Fermin worked a full count and walked. The Royals would pinch-hit and send Edward Olivares out to the plate. Olivares would hit a bloop singel out to center. However, the White Sox were able to get a force out at second base to put runners on the corners with two out.
The Royals finish their series against the White Sox on Sunday with the first pitch at 12:30.
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