For the first time since 2013, a Royals pitcher has a complete game while having a loss. James Shields was the last Royals pitcher to accomplish that.
Lyles threw a season-high 112 pitches in the complete game effort. The complete game gives the bullpen a much-needed day off. Despite Lyles’s effort, he continues to be burned by the long ball. While only giving up four runs on six hits with no walks on the day is good enough to win the White Sox capitalize on what little offense they put together. Over the last five starts, Lyles has given up at least two home runs. This season he has given up 13 home runs, the most in all of the MLB.
Chicago’s first came in the top of the fourth inning. Luis Robert Jr. hit a home run off of a hanging breaking ball 430 feet to left field. Another home run gave Chicago the lead in the top of the sixth. After giving up a double Lyles left a sinker over the middle of the plate to Andrew Vaughn. He smashed the ball 422 feet to left field. An insurance run in the seventh inning added another run to the board for the White Sox giving Chicago a two-run lead.
Vinnie Pasquantino continues to be one of the best players on the team. He was responsible for driving in both of the Royals’ runs. The first was a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Pasquantino hit a low slider down the right field line 420 feet to put the Royals on top.
That would be the last mistake White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito would make until the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning Bobby Whitt. Jr. hit a triple to right field. Pasquantino drove him in on a bloop single. The Royals had more opportunities to score in the sixth. Kansas City was able to put runners in scoring position and eventually loaded the bases. Unfortianly Giolito was able to locate his pitches well enough to allow soft contact not allowing any more runs to score.
Royals Manager Matt Quatraro said Giolito was able to perfectly locate both his breaking ball and fastball.
“He made really good pitchers,” Quatraro said. “I mean he was tough all night but in that sixth when we got the bases loaded he went and executed. He didn’t miss any spots he was right over the top or just above the zone on the fastballs (and) kept the breaking balls just below or right at the bottom. So, he really executed there.”
The lack of run support for Lyles ended a 10-game streak of scoring at least four runs.
The royals play game three of the four-game series on Wednesday. The first pitch is at 6:40.
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