Kansas City Royals complete wild comeback vs. White Sox on (another) walk-off balk
Kauffman Stadium hosted an impromptu home run derby on Tuesday night — that also featured a big comeback and (another) walk-off balk.
The Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox combined for six homers and 13 runs in a September slugfest. The Royals prevailed with a 7-6 victory over their American League Central rival.
“Prior to this year, I can only remember it two other times total,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the improbable balk-off win. “Definitely not in the same season.”
To that end, Tuesday marked the second time this season KC won on a walk-off balk. Plenty of action happened before it.
Chicago exploded with five runs in the second inning and eventually took a 6-0 lead. White Sox infielders Yoan Moncada and Korey Lee homered in the second. Lee, who entered the game hitting .040, blasted a three-run shot for his first career homer.
Royals starter Brady Singer wasn’t efficient in his return to the mound. The Royals skipped his last start and he was reinstated from the paternity list this week. Singer allowed nine hits, six runs and struck out two batters.
“That was a good win, and it was really good to see the guys battle back there,” Singer said. “I put them in a pretty big hole. It’s something that we have done all year — work really hard to stay in the game. They pulled it off tonight, and it was a good team win.”
Indeed, KC chipped away at the deficit. The Royals’ offense hit three homers, starting with two in the fourth inning. An inning later, outfielder MJ Melendez hit a solo shot in the fifth.
White Sox starter Dylan Cease was chased from the game. He allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings of work.
“You don’t chip away unless the pitching keeps them right where they are at,” Quatraro said. “The three (scoreless innings) from Zerp (Angel Zerpa) were really big.”
The White Sox failed to overcome their leaky bullpen. The Royals tied the game in the ninth inning as shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. — who hopes to reach the famed 30-30 MLB mark this month — hit an RBI double.
KC won it as White Sox reliever Gregory Santos balked to score the winning run. Maikel Garcia crossed the plate as the Royals completed another comeback victory.
“There is certainly confidence that we have done this before,” Royals second baseman Michael Massey said. “Nobody is going to quit and nobody has quit all year. I think you are seeing that in this game and in the clubhouse.”
The Royals improved to 44-96.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Home win: Royals score 12 runs behind Cole Ragans’ dominant start
Strong return: Royals outfielder Edward Olivares shines after recent Triple-A promotion
Here are more notables from Tuesday’s game:
Royals blast two homers in 4th inning
Massey and teammate Nelson Velázquez displayed their power against the White Sox. Both players helped the Royals chip away at an early four-run deficit.
Velázquez hit his 11th home run against Cease. He hit a 79.1 mph slider over the right-field wall in the fourth inning. It was his second home run in consecutive days and his eighth since joining the Royals.
Later, Massey hit the longest home run of his career. He drilled a 441-foot homer into the outfield seats as the Royals trailed 6-3 to the White Sox.
Massey finished 2 for 4 on the night. He is hitting .388 with four home runs in 16 career games against the White Sox.
Royals squander early scoring chance
The Royals were in an early hole against the White Sox. In the second inning, KC fell behind 5-0 but responded quickly.
Melendez walked to start the inning. Next, Royals designated hitter Edward Olivares doubled to put runners in scoring position.
The Royals had a golden opportunity to cut into the deficit. However, Velázquez and outfielder Drew Waters struck out. Two batters later, Massey flew out to end the threat.
“In the second inning, we had a chance with second and third and nobody out,” Quatraro said. “We didn’t get anything and then you are like, ‘Man,’ because you know Cease is going to be tough. The homers — you can’t really rely on those, especially in this park. It was nice to keep getting it closer.”
The Royals reversed their fortunes late with their second walk-off balk of 2023. In a year that hasn’t produced many wins, the Royals have found unique ways to finish games, dating all the way back to the first month.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the White Sox. Jordan Lyles will start against Chicago hurler Touki Toussaint on Wednesday night.
This story was originally published September 5, 2023 at 9:30 PM with the headline "Kansas City Royals complete wild comeback vs. White Sox on (another) walk-off balk."
