KANSAS CITY -- The playoff celebration will have to wait at least one day for the White Sox.
Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off Hagen Smith in the seventh scored Bobby Witt Jr. with the game-winning run during Kansas City’s 5-4 victory over the White Sox on Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium. It was an especially tough loss for the South Siders, in that Cleveland dropped a 1-0 decision to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, meaning the White Sox could have moved into a tie atop the American League Central. Chicago still maintains possession of the third and final AL Wild Card, with the Rangers trailing by three games.
Instead, the White Sox sit one game back with four games to play, beginning with Thursday afternoon’s series finale against Kansas City. Chicago still possesses the third and final AL Wild Card, with the Rangers trailing by three games.
The Royals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, with all four of the runs (three earned) charged to Bryan Hudson. But Erick Fedde followed with 2 2/3 scoreless innings and Sean Newcomb added two more scoreless frames.
Meanwhile, the White Sox started their four-run rally in the third with a bunt single by Chase Meidroth against Seth Lugo, who had retired the first six hitters. Kyle Teel singled home two, Miguel Vargas added a run-scoring single and Munetaka Murakami doubled home the game-tying run.