White Sox squander their chance in Kansas City, fall to Royals, 5-4

The Cleveland Guardians squandered an opportunity to reclaim first place in the AL Central when they fell to the Kansas City Royals, 5-4. Bryan Hudson, who was tasked with handling the opening of the game, walked out after facing just five Royals batters. Carter Jensen and Bobby Witt Jr. opened the Royals' assault with singles, and Maikel Garcia drove in two runs with a base hit, followed by Vinnie Pasquantino's double to extend the Royals' lead to 4-0.

Will Venable brought in Erick Fedde, a veteran relief pitcher, to face the Royals' order. Fedde managed to retire the first two Kansas City batters in order, but an unearned run scored off a botched throw by Colson Montgomery, extending the lead to 4-1. Hudson's team responded with a four-run inning, but Chase Meidroth's pop out with bases loaded in the third limited Chicago to a single run.

In the fourth, Braden Montgomery and Kyle Teel opened the scoring for the Sox, but Miguel Vargas' RBI single and Munetaka Murakami's two-run double set up a 4-4 tie. The Sox had another chance in the fourth with bases loaded and one out, but Chase Meidroth grounded into a double play, squandering the opportunity. Fedde gave the Guardians a chance to take the lead in the seventh, but Kyle Teel's double scored the tying run.

Kansas City sealed the game in the eighth with a single from Bryan Hudson and a walk, and Lucas Erceg retired the remaining Chicago batters with nine pitches. The Royals emerged as spoilers, while Chicago had ample chances to capitalize but fell short.