The White Sox couldn’t find a walk-off hero to make up for starter Anthony Kay’s struggles on Sunday, as they dropped their series finale against the Royals 5-4.
But the Sox had already clinched their franchise-record 10th straight home series win ahead of another important seven-game East Coast road trip.
Then again, they’re all big trips these days for a squad getting used to life at the top of the American League Central. First up for the Sox are the Wild Card-contending Orioles, followed by a pivotal four-game set against their top division rivals in Cleveland.
It was a back-and-forth afternoon for the Sox and Kay, who found himself in a 1-0 hole in the first inning with Kansas City catcher Carter Jensen’s RBI single.
Miguel Vargas responded in the bottom half of the frame with his 19th home run of the season, bolstering his All-Star case with a two-run shot off K.C. starter Luinder Avila that scored Sam Antonacci.
Going, going, GONE! pic.twitter.com/L8bd5zPSmU
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 28, 2026
But Kay hit a batter and Colson Montgomery misplayed an easy grounder to short to set up Royals center fielder Lane Thomas’ game-tying single in the top of the second. A wild pitch advanced two baserunners before Bobby Witt Jr.’s sacrifice fly put the Royals ahead.
The Sox took the lead right back after Antonacci started a two-out rally with a single in the second. He advanced on a double from Vargas, and they both scored on Kyle Teel’s broken-bat single to left.
it’s Teel time at Rate Field ⏰ pic.twitter.com/pQyCZcQ2OR
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 28, 2026
But the Royals tied it back up in the third when Braden Montgomery’s dive came up short for Isaac Collins’ two-out bloop RBI-double to right field.
Then Jensen’s two-out double in the fourth scored Witt Jr., and prompted manager Will Venable to give Kay the hook. He gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk over 3 ⅔ innings with two strikeouts.
The Sox’ budding Montgomery connection kept the game within reach in the seventh inning, when Starling Marte tried to stretch a single into a double. Right fielder Braden Montgomery lasered a throw to Colson Montgomery for the out at second.
“Not on my watch” – Braden Montgomery, probably pic.twitter.com/N6ay52WVlg
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) June 28, 2026
Jacob Gonzalez, who walked off the Royals a day earlier, nearly legged out an infield single to keep the Sox alive in the ninth, but couldn’t beat the throw from pitcher Alex Lange.
ON DECK
SOX AT ORIOLES
Monday: Sean Burke (5-4, 3.71 ERA) vs. Shane Baz (4-8, 4.31), 5:35 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.
Tuesday: Erick Fedde (2-6, 4.34) vs. Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.64), 5:35 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.
Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA, 11:35 a.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.