In a fast-paced game that lasted just two hours and eight minutes, there was once again ninth-inning drama unfolding at Kauffman Stadium. Unlike the previous night, no embarrassing defensive miscues would be catching highlight shows or going viral for the White Sox on social media. It once again lacked impact bats in the middle of the lineup.
The rally began when Miguel Vargas split the gap between left and center field off Royals closer Carlos Estevez for his second double of the night. It was an odd outfield configuration with Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel shading closer to right field, but Vargas's liner had an exit velocity of 106.1 MPH.
The triple-digit batted balls continued for the White Sox as Luis Robert Jr. laced a line drive down the left field line that traveled 104 MPH off the bat. Vargas scored, but Robert couldn't tell immediately if the ball was fair or foul. That hesitation in timing when third base umpire John Libka made the call limited Robert to just a single.
Matt Thaiss joined the 100-plus MPH exit velo club by pulling a grounder through the infield, moving Robert up 90 feet. Sox manager Will Venable called for Michael A. Taylor to pinch run for Thaiss as the White Sox had a rally stew boiling with no outs. That boil turned to a simmer when Andrew Vaughn whiffed on a fastball high outside of the zone.
With Vaughn missing an opportunity to put the ball in play, it was up to Brooks Baldwin to make some magic happen. Baldwin hit a grounder that seemed to have eyes for the outfield, but Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. made a fantastic play ranging to his left. Witt's scoop and toss toward second base was caught barehanded by Michael Massey, getting the force out.
It was Josh Rojas's turn with two outs to play hero, and he almost pulled a liner just foul off the first pitch from Estevez. But after a great slider located perfectly in the lower part of the zone for strike two, Rojas also chased on a high fastball to strike out, ending the game.
Another quiet night for White Sox bats as Royals starter Michael Wacha limited them to three hits over seven innings. Lacking offensive support put pressure on Sox starter Jonathan Cannon, who displayed some bulldog tendencies. Royals had great scoring opportunities in the first, third, and fourth innings against Cannon but came up empty each time. They finished the night going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Cannon's blemish came in the fifth inning against Witt, of course. On a 92 MPH two-seamer tailing into the inside corner, Witt pulled his hands through and barreled the pitch for a two-run homer, his fifth of the season.
Blast off, Bobby! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/wV6PlUl1B7
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 8, 2025
Despite having 10 hits on the night, White Sox pitchers held the Royals to just two runs. In a way, that counts as a moral victory, but the White Sox are now 2-13 against AL Central opponents starting in 2025. It would be nice to see actual victories against division opponents soon.
Game Notes:
- Miguel Vargas was 2-for-4 with two doubles and made a nice defensive play as he got hit in the foot of a broken bat. While falling to the ground, Vargas had enough composure to still get a toss off to first base for the out.
- Jonathan Cannon went 6.0 IP 9 H 2 ER 0 BB 1 K. His season ERA is now 4.09
- Caleb Freeman struck out Bobby Witt Jr. and Tyler Gilbert pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for a clean bullpen night.
- Andrew Vaughn was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He did have a hard hit ball in the seventh inning when his deep fly had an exit velocity of 104 MPH and traveled 381 feet, but Kyle Isbel made a nice play chasing it down for a long out. Vaughn’s season OPS is now .506.
