Royals extend win streak to five behind Bobby Witt Jr home run

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Bobby Witt Jr celebrates after his go ahead two run home run in the fifth inning as the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night/ Photo courtesy of the Royals on X

By MATT PIKE

St. Joseph Post

The Kansas City Royals got another masterful performance from their starting pitcher and needed just one clutch hit to extend their win streak to five games, defeating the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium

The Royals managed hits off of White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon through the first four innings, but were unable to push runners in scoring position across.  But in the fifth inning, after Luke Maile singled to lead off the inning, Bobby Witt Jr delivered the lone hit Kansas City needed in the game, a two run home run to left center field putting the Royals up 2-0. 

Kansas City starter Michael Wacha was brilliant on the mound in containing the White Sox, allowing just three hits and only walking one batter across seven shutout innings, while striking out five. In the eighth inning, Lucas Erceg struck out the side in order before Carlos Estévez came to the mound in the ninth for the save. 

Against Estévez Chicago started to put together a rally, Miguel Vargas leading off the inning with a double and then scoring on a single by Luis Robert Jr.  Matt Thaiss singled to push Robert to second base before Estévez finally recorded the first out, striking out Andrew Vaughn.  Brooks Baldwin grounded into a force out, Michael A Taylor who pinch ran for Thaiss being thrown out at second, then with the tying run 90 feet away at third base, Estévez struck out Josh Rojas to end the game. 

Wacha earned the win, improving to 2-4 on the season, while Estévez notched his 11th save.  Maikel Garcia (2-3) and Vinnie Pasquantino (2-4) led the way hitting while Witt Jr was 1-4 with the two run home run. 4

The series finale is tomorrow between Kansas City and Chicago.  Kris Bubic takes the mound for the Royals as they look for a sweep against Davis Martin for the White Sox.  First pitch will be joined at 1:10pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM). 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.