Royals tie ugly franchise record in 22-1 series-opening loss to White Sox

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jun 26, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Have the Kansas City Royals hit rock-bottom?

If there was any notion they could make a late surge in American League Central standings, those aspirations have officially fallen by the wayside.

The Royals lost, 22-1, to the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. In their last two games, the Royals have been outscored by 32 runs.

After nearly being no-hit during Thursday’s 13-2 loss to the Rays in a series finale to host Tampa Bay, the Royals were blitzed by the White Sox at Rate Field.

And it was ugly.

Royals opener Steven Cruz was superb across 1 1/3 innings. He struck out three of the five batters he faced and didn’t allow a run.

That was the lone bit of positive news for the Royals (34-49) on Friday. On the other end of the spectrum was a nightmarish third inning in which the hosts scored 10 runs.

The Royals surrendered runs in abundance against the upstart White Sox lineup. In fact, KC tied a club record for most runs allowed in a game, matching an April 4, 1994 outing against the Boston Red Sox.

Royals right-hander Mitch Spence took the brunt of the damage. He allowed all 10 runs in the third as Chicago sent 14 batters to the plate.

White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hit a three-run homer. He also had an RBI double in the inning and finished a triple short of hitting for the cycle.

Vargas led the way offensively and his teammates followed right along. Chicago set season highs for both hits (23) and runs.

White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters had a two-run double in the third. He also belted a sixth-inning grand slam that made it 17-1. He finished with six RBIs.

Eight of Chicago’s nine starters recorded a hit. The White Sox were 8 for 15 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base.

The Royals used the majority of their bullpen in the onslaught. KC relievers issued a total of six walks.

The Royals’ offense was of no help. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. scored the visitors’ lone run in the fourth inning. He returned to action after missing six games with a strained right knee and went 1 for 3 as the Royals’ designated hitter.

White Sox starter David Sandlin pitched well against his former team. The Royals selected him in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB draft and he was traded in 2024.

Sandlin allowed one run in six innings. He scattered three hits and recorded six strikeouts while earning his second big league victory.

The Royals have just five hits in their last 18 innings. They are now 2-3 on their seven-game road trip.

Chicago (42-38) has won six of its last eight against the Royals.

What’s next?

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (5-5, 3.48 ERA) will start opposite Chicago right-hander Davis Martin (9-3, 3.18) on Saturday. First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. Central Time.