The Chicago White Sox turned a rivalry game into a runaway on Friday night, crushing the Kansas City Royals 22-1 in one of the most lopsided results in recent team history. The victory kept Chicago alone in first place in the AL Central and pushed the club to 42-38, a stunning position for a team that finished 60-102 just one year ago.
The scoreline carried even more weight because the White Sox had not scored that many runs in a game since 1970. Kansas City, meanwhile, tied the most runs it has ever allowed in franchise history.
White Sox erupt in a historic third inning
Chicago put the game away with a 10-run third inning, which sent Royals reliever Mitch Spence into a nightmare outing. He allowed eight hits and all 10 runs were earned, leaving his ERA at 21.21 after the inning.
The White Sox kept piling on from there. Four players hit home runs, two finished a triple shy of the cycle, every player who came to the plate reached base, and eight players recorded at least two hits.
| Team | Result | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | 22 runs | Most runs scored by the club since 1970 |
| Kansas City Royals | 1 run allowed | Tied the most runs ever allowed in franchise history |
| Royals reliever Mitch Spence | 21.21 ERA | Allowed eight hits and 10 earned runs in the third inning |
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas was part of the surge with a three-run home run in the third inning at Rate Field, while center fielder Tristan Peters later added a grand slam. The long balls helped turn the night into a complete blowout.
After the game, first baseman Jacob Gonzalez summed it up simply: “That was sick,” he said. “No other way to put it.”
A season few expected from Chicago
The result fit a remarkable first half for the White Sox, a team that many had written off before the season began. Instead, they entered the stretch near the All-Star break in sole possession of first place, with a roster producing one of the most eye-catching games in the majors this year.
As Fox News noted, the White Sox were widely viewed as one of the worst teams in baseball entering the season, while the Royals were considered a sleeper contender. Friday night flipped that script in emphatic fashion, and it did so with a score that will be remembered long after the series ends.
