Final Score: KC 2 | CHW 0
Overall Record: 11-6
Winning/Losing Pitcher
- W: Seth Lugo (3-0 | 1.05 ERA)
- L: Nick Nastrini (0-1 | 3.60 ERA)
- S: James McArthur (3 | 4.15 ERA)
Royals Player of the Game
Seth Lugo
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K
It was business as usual for Seth Lugo. Sure, he wasn’t facing a White Sox lineup with key hitters such as Luis Robert, Jr., Yoan Moncada, and Eloy Jimenez (who later appeared in a pinch-hitting appearance). Nonetheless, Lugo worked quickly and efficiently against the White Sox. He not only shut them out in seven innings of work but also allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out four.
As expected for a Lugo outing this year, the 34-year-old successfully utilizes his diverse six-pitch repertoire, resulting in an overall CSW% of 29% and an average exit velocity of 88 MPH on batted balls.
Lugo may not have Cole Ragans‘ eye-popping velocity or strikeout stuff. However, the Royals’ free-agent acquisition from this offseason is proving to be one of the Royals’ most effective starting pitchers, and his 1.05 ERA in his first four starts of the year supports that assertion.
Key Highlights
Vinnie Pasquantino got off to a slow start, but he’s been on a tear in his last five games, as highlighted by this tweet from Database Hit below.
Tonight against Nick Nastrini and the White Sox, Pasquantino went two-for-three with a home run in the top of the fourth inning off Nastrini, an RBI, and a walk. His OPS is now up to .817 for the year, and his wRC+ is 130, a far cry from where it was not too long ago, as pointed out by Inside the Crown’s David Lesky.
The Royals’ offense struggled in this one, producing only five hits against the White Sox’s pitching staff. At the top of the lineup, Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt, Jr. went 0-for-7.
However, the Royals plated their second run of the game thanks to an opposite-field single in the Top of the 5th by Kyle Isbel.
After Lugo’s seven dominant innings, manager Matt Quatraro returned to Chris Stratton, who was fresh off a loss against the Mets on Sunday. The decision proved wise as it allowed Stratton an immediate opportunity to shake a rough outing against a much worse team. Stratton was efficient in an inning of work against the White Sox as he allowed no runs on no hits and no walks while striking out one.
As expected, the Royals went to “General” James McArthur to close out the bottom of the ninth. McArthur hit Gavin Sheets with two strikes, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, McArthur made easy work of the pinch-hitting Jimenez, fresh off the IL, by striking him out on four pitches, including three out of the zone that Jimenez chased.
It’s safe to say that the Royals bullpen made this one relatively stress-free on the South Side, a relief considering how Sunday afternoon went in Queens.
Summary of the Next Game
Another White Sox pitcher will make his MLB debut in this series. Today, Chicago selected the contract of Jonathan Cannon, who is expected to start tomorrow’s game.
The Royals will counter with Brady Singer, who has a 0.98 ERA for the year and is looking for his third win. Salvador Perez is expected to return to the lineup, as he pointed out on X this afternoon in reply to Royals super fan Jeremy Scheuch.
It is indeterminate what position Salvy will play tomorrow. Most importantly, though, is that his bat will be back in the lineup, which will be much needed for a Royals lineup that has only scored three runs in the past two games.
Image Credit: Erin Hooley/The Associated Press
