The Chicago White Sox suffered their 16th consecutive loss, setting a new franchise record, as Michael Massey hit a home run and Michael Wacha pitched seven solid innings to guide the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 win on Tuesday night. Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 12 games and contributed the first RBI in an eighth-inning rally that secured the lead for the Royals. Andrew Vaughn of Chicago hit a home run for the second night in a row, and rookie Jonathan Cannon pitched seven impressive innings, only allowing Massey’s solo shot while walking three and striking out two.
The game took a turn when rookie Fraser Ellard (0-1) took over for Cannon and walked two in his major league debut, setting the stage for Kansas City’s comeback. Down 2-1, the Royals tied the game with a bloop single from Witt before Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run single off Justin Anderson. Vaughn managed an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Sam Long secured the win for the Royals with a clean ninth inning, earning his fourth career save and first of the season.
Wacha (8-6) delivered a strong performance, allowing only five hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out five. He has won five of his last six starts, contributing to Kansas City’s 11 wins in their last 17 games. On the other hand, Chicago’s record dropped to a major league-worst 27-83, putting them at risk of breaking the record for most losses in a 162-game season, currently held by the expansion New York Mets with 120 losses in 1962.
The 3-game series between Kansas City and Chicago will come to an end today at Guaranteed Rate Field, with the game starting at 1:10 p.m. Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) will be the pitcher for the Royals, facing off against Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81 ERA) for the White Sox. Following this, the Royals will travel to Detroit for a 4-game series against the Tigers starting on Thursday.
