By MATT PIKE
Maikel Garcia played spoiler to the Chicago White Sox securing their first trip to the MLB playoffs since 2021, hitting an RBI double in the seventh inning to help the Kansas City Royals to a 5-4 win at Kauffman Stadium.
Garcia had three hits and three RBIs on the day, starting the scoring in the first inning during a four run frame with a two RBI single after Carter Jensen and Bobby Witt Jr opened the game with singles. Garcia later scored on an RBI double by Vinnie Pasquantino and Pasquantino scored himself later in the inning on a throwing error by White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery after a single by Michael Massey.
With the Royals leading 4-0, in the third inning the White Sox responded with five hits, starting with Kyle Teel’s two-run single, scoring Chase Meidroth and Braden Montgomery to cut the lead in half, followed by RBI singles from Miguel Vargas, driving in Sam Antonacci, and Munetaka Murakami, bringing home Teel, sending 10 batters to the plate overall to tie the game 4-4.
In his final start of the season, Royals starter Seth Lugo allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out three in 3.1 innings. Connor Thomas earned thw win, improving to 2-1 on the season, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out one while allowing one hit. Thomas took over in the sixth and was on the mound when Garcia doubled to score Witt Jr for the go ahead run. Steven Cruz struck out two in the ninth inning, earning his eighth save.
Jensen led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Garcia was 3-for-3 with a double and a walk with three RBIs. Massey was 2-for-4.
Kansas City and Chicago wrap up their series tomorrow. Randy Dobnak (3-4, 3.08 ERA, 48Ks) gets the start for the Royals countered on the mound by David Sandlin (2-2, 6.29 ERA, 33Ks) for the White Sox. First pitch will be joined at 1:10pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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