Kansas City, MO – Bobby Witt Jr. delivered another dramatic ending for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, singling home the winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The electrifying finish marked Witt’s second career walk-off hit, reminiscent of his game-ending grand slam in 2023.
The ninth-inning heroics began when Mark Canha drew a leadoff walk against White Sox reliever Cam Boozer (0-3). Drew Waters followed with a blooper to shallow right field, and chaos ensued when Michael A. Taylor’s throw to second base sailed wide, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Freddy Fermin then laid down a bunt for a base hit, loading the bases for the heart of the Royals’ order.
After Kyle Isbel popped out, Jonathan India stepped up and drove in the tying run with a fielder’s choice. The stage was then set for Witt, who calmly laced a single into center field, sending the Kauffman Stadium crowd into a frenzy as Canha crossed the plate with the winning run.
Taylor Clarke (1-0) earned the win for the Royals in relief.
The White Sox had taken an early lead in the fourth inning when Brooks Baldwin singled home Matt Thaiss. Chicago extended their advantage in the sixth after Thaiss led off with a single, advanced on a wild pitch and a groundout, and then scored on an error by Royals third baseman Jonathan India.
Isbel provided a spark for the Royals in the bottom of the sixth, launching a solo home run that barely cleared the right-center field fence to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The White Sox added another run in the eighth courtesy of an RBI single from Josh Rojas, making it 3-1. However, the Royals responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Salvador Perez doubled, scoring Vinnie Pasquantino to pull within one.
Kansas City had a prime opportunity to score in the seventh, with runners on first and second and only one out. However, White Sox reliever Steven Wilson shut down the threat, getting Fermin to foul out and then retiring Isbel on a fielder’s choice.
The loss extends the White Sox’s losing streak at Kauffman Stadium to nine games, their longest ever in Kansas City.
The four-game series continues on Wednesday night as White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon (2-3, 4.26 ERA) is scheduled to face Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (1-4, 3.52 ERA). Pregame coverage on Superstar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM begins at 6:00 p.m., with the first pitch from Kauffman Stadium slated for 6:40 p.m.
