Royals Lose Bullpen Game 7-5 to the White Sox

The last time Liam Hendrik made a start for the Royals, it turned into a bullpen game where the Royals went through their relievers in an attempt to secure the win. This time, the Royals dominant duo of Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis were unable to protect the lead, proving that they are, in fact, mortal, as the Royals lost 7-5.

Neither Hendriks nor Chicago White Sox starter Chris Bassitt were long for the game, with both being knocked out before either completed four innings. At that point, the White Sox held a 4-3 lead over the Royals, scoring three of their four runs on sacrifice flies. The Royals, meanwhile, had an RBI single by Mike Moustakas and a two run single by Alex Gordon to account for their runs.

The Royals manufactured a run in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Gordon led off with a walk, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly from Omar Infante plated Gordon, tying the game at 4-4. Kansas City would take the lead the following inning, once again using their speed to their advantage. With one out, Alcides Escobar singled, stole second, and scored on Nori Aoki‘s single to center to give the Royals a 5-4 lead.

More from KC Royals News

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

With the heart of the Royals bullpen in the game, one had to figure that lead would be safe. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Herrera gave up consecutive singles to start the inning, and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out. In came the dominant Davis, who had allowed only one run since April. Davis walked Jose Abreu to load the bases, then gave up a bases clearing triple to Conor Gillaspie, giving the White Sox a 7-5 lead.

That triple would prove to be the difference, as a trio of relievers held the Royals offense scoreless over the final three innings to send them to a 7-5 loss. Kelvin Herrera took the L, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk while recording two outs.

Aoki was 4-5 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.