White Sox Shut Out Royals 7–0 Behind Smith’s Gem

The Chicago White Sox delivered a dominant performance Monday night, blanking the Kansas City Royals 7–0 at Guaranteed Rate Field. Shane Smith and Tyler Gilbert combined on a two-hit shutout, while Korey Lee and Brooks Baldwin went back-to-back with home runs to cap the win.

Chicago’s offense erupted early with three doubles in the first inning. Edgar Quero, Lenyn Sosa, and Curtis Mead each drove in a run to give the White Sox a quick 3–0 lead. It marked just the third win for Chicago over Kansas City in 11 meetings this season and secured their third winning streak of at least three games since the All-Star break.

Smith (4–7) finally broke through with his first victory since June 10. The rookie right-hander tossed a career-best seven innings, yielding just one hit, walking one, and striking out three. He retired the first eight batters he faced before a defensive miscue allowed Kyle Isbel to reach. Mike Yastrzemski followed with a ground-rule double, but Smith escaped by inducing Bobby Witt Jr. to ground out and end the threat.

Gilbert handled the final two innings, allowing only a ninth-inning double from Witt Jr. Kansas City was shut out for the first time all season.

Royals starter Noah Cameron (7–6) struggled, tying a career worst by giving up six earned runs and allowing a career-high eight hits over 3 2/3 innings. He didn’t record a strikeout or walk.

The White Sox broke the game open in the fourth inning when Lee launched a two-run homer, followed immediately by Baldwin’s solo shot. Lee, recalled from Triple-A Charlotte just days earlier, finished 2-for-3 with a walk. Sosa contributed two hits and two RBIs, Mead added two hits, and Miguel Vargas doubled twice.

For Kansas City, Michael Massey returned to the lineup after missing 65 games with ankle, wrist, and back injuries. He went 0-for-2 in his first action since June 7. Meanwhile, Vinnie Pasquantino saw his streak of seven straight games with an extra-base hit — tied for a team record — come to an end with an 0-for-4 night.