Royals take down White Sox 5-2 after 3-run 10th

CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Kyle Isbel hit a two-run single in Kansas City's three-run 10th inning, and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 5-2 on Thursday.

Whit Merrifield scored the go-ahead run in the 10th when White Sox catcher Reese McGuire was charged with a passed ball with the bases loaded and two out. Then Isbel, who was promoted from Triple-A Omaha before the game, got his hit off left-hander Aaron Bummer (0-1).

“A big stress relief after the (passed ball),” Isbel said. “I was just happy to come through.”

Chicago was held to three hits through the first seven innings, but tied it in the eighth off reliever Josh Staumont on singles by Yasmani Grandal and Jake Burger and a sacrifice fly by AJ Pollock.

That wiped out an exceptional performance by Royals starter Brad Keller, who induced 12 groundball outs and didn’t throw more than 15 pitches in any of his seven innings. Keller, who lowered his ERA to 2.19, has received three runs of support in his 24 2/3 innings.

“That was complete-game stuff,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “We give him a little bit more offense, and he’s finishing that game.”

Andrew Benintendi hit an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, and in the fifth, his sacrifice fly scored Cam Gallagher to give the Royals a 2-0 lead.

But the Royals missed opportunities in the sixth and eighth, and Benintendi’s feeble throw from left field enabled pinch-runner Josh Harrison to score the tying run.

Scott Barlow (2-0) pitched a scoreless ninth, and Taylor Clarke earned his first save since April 20, 2019, which came against the Cubs at Wrigley Field as a member of the Diamondbacks.

The Royals have won two of their last three games, while the Sox have dropped nine of their last 10.

“It is cruel, I think,” White Sox...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Royals-take-down-White-Sox-5-2-after-3-run-10th-17134908.php