Caglianone’s 4 hit day, clutch hitting lifts Royals to 7-5 victory over White Sox

The Royals were in desperate need of a win to avoid being swept by the White Sox, and after Michael Lorenzen gave up a 2-run homer in the first inning, things weren’t looking great.

But a Vinnie Pasquantino single and a two-run blast from Salvador Perez in the fourth tied the game at 2.

Michael Lorenzen worked around that two-run homer, and didn’t allow another hit outside of that in 6 innings of work. It was a much-needed good start for Lorenzen who struggled in his last three outings. His final line was 6 innings, one hit, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.

Top prospect Jac Caglianone went 4-4 with a double on the day. After a rough first five games of his career, it was great to see the rookie break out. Hopefully that momentum carries into this huge upcoming homestand.

The game was tied going into the top of the seventh, but a leadoff single from Mark Canha, who was pinch hitting for John Rave, a 1-2 pitch was sacrifice bunted by Kyle Isbel to get him to second. Drew Waters would pinch run, and score on a Jonathan India go ahead double. Maikel Garcia would hit a 2 out RBI single to make it a 4-2 game.

The Royals would get scoreless innings from Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber to get the game to the 9th inning.

Drew Waters would lead off the 9th with a walk, steal second base and go to third on a groundout to second from Isbel. India would drive him in with a single to left, before Bobby Witt Jr. would put the cherry on top with a long two run homer to left field to make it 7-2.

Trevor Richards would start the 9th inning for the Royals. He would walk the leadoff man and give up back-to-back singles to load the bases. It was the White Sox first two hits since the first inning. He would walk in a run to make it 7-3 and fail to record an out. Closer Carlos Estevez would be forced in with a 4-run lead, bases juiced, nobody out. He would give up a single to make it 7-4. Witt Jr. would make ANOTHER diving catch to save a hit and runs to record the first out of the inning. Luis Robert Jr. would hit a jam shot up the middle and the Royals were able to get a force out at second, 7-5 game, two outs now.

Estevez versus Josh Rojas for the game, and Estevez would walk him to reload the bases. So, rookie first baseman Tim Elko versus Estevez for the game, with the rain starting to come down heavily, Estevez would get Elko to strike out on an elevated 97 mph heater, to record his 19th save of the season. No runs were charged to Estevez on the day.

The Royals racked 16 hits on the day but hit into 5 double plays. They finish the road trip 3-3 and are 34-32 on the season. The Royals have an off day tomorrow before 3 against the Yankees and 3 against the Athletics next weekend for the homestand. The offense outside the first two games in Chicago seemed to come alive, which is hopefully an encouraging sign going forward.