Royals split series with White Sox in 6-5 loss

Pete Grathoff, The Kansas City Star on Apr 12, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two early season traits — good and bad — had been established for the Kansas City Royals entering Sunday: great starting pitching and trouble hitting with runners in scoring position.

The Royals improved on the latter Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, but starting pitcher Noah Cameron struggled in a 6-5 loss to Chicago at Kauffman Stadium. The bullpen also had problems.

First the positive news.

Entering the weekend, Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen was the only player in Major League Baseball with three home runs that had an exit velocity of 111 mph or faster.

That’s according to MLB statistics guru Sarah Langs. But Jensen did damage of a different sort Sunday.

The Royals had the bases loaded in the third inning when Jensen hit a squibber that was just 40.4 mph off the bat and traveled a charitable 4 feet. Jensen beat the throw to first as Maikel Garcia scored. And that’s how the Royals snapped an ugly 0 for 33 stretch with runners in scoring position.

The Royals collected two more hits with runners in scoring position.

Noah Cameron struggled through start

Now, the downside.

The Royals entered Sunday tied for the major-league lead with eight quality starts and the second-lowest ERA among starting pitchers (2.56).

But starter Noah Cameron struggled as he was touched for five runs in 5 1/3 innings, and the White Sox hit a pair of two-run homers.

Up next

The Royals are off Monday, then open a three-game series Tuesday in Detroit. Cole Ragans, who left his last start after being hit in the pitching hand, will get the start for the Royals. The Tigers will start Framber Valdez.

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