Royals overcome Vinnie Pasquantino injury scare to secure series victory vs. White Sox

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Aug 16, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals dodged a major injury scare against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.

In the first inning, Vinnie Pasquantino dealt with a heat-related illness while facing White Sox starter Sean Burke. Pasquantino struck out after a nine-pitch battle but required medical attention midway through the at-bat.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro and the training staff went out to evaluate Pasquantino at home plate. He finished the plate appearance but was removed in the second inning.

This positional change shifted Nick Loftin — who started in left field — to first base and inserted John Rave in his stead.

Both players aided the Royals in a 6-2 victory at Kauffman Stadium.

Rave stepped up with a solo homer in the third inning. He belted a 93.9-mph fastball over the right-center-field wall against Burke. It was one of two homers the Royals hit in Saturday’s win over their American League Central rivals.

Mike Yastrzemski hit the other to lead off the game. He has hit nine leadoff homers — including two with the Royals — in his career.

Loftin finished 2 for 3 with an RBI single in the sixth.

The run support was enough for Royals starter Michael Lorenzen. He made his return from the 15-day injured list and tossed four scoreless innings. He dealt with an elevated pitch count but still was able to make key pitches to avoid trouble.

In the fourth inning, Lorenzen worked around a two-out single and a hit-by-pitch to retire White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth with a strikeout.

Lorenzen didn’t factor into the decision. However, he was able to get through his first start unscathed after dealing with a left oblique strain.

The White Sox scored both runs in the eighth inning. Andrew Benintendi, who once starred for the Royals, hit a two-run double against reliever Bailey Falter.

The Royals (62-61) climbed one game over .500 with the victory. It was the first time since June 10 that they reached the plateau.

KC heat impacts sports landscape

It was a hot one around Kansas City on Saturday. The Royals weren’t the only local team to deal with the heat and humidity, as the KC Current had its home game against the Orlando Pride delayed for three-plus hours.

A heat advisory was issued for the metro. Temperatures eclipsed 90 degrees during the afternoon.

Pasquantino will continue to be evaluated heading into Sunday’s finale against the White Sox. He holds a pivotal role in leading the club with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs.

If the Royals are to make a postseason surge, Pasquantino is one of several players who will lead the charge down the stretch. There is hope he will return to action soon.

What’s next?

The Royals will send rookie starter Ryan Bergert (1-1, 2.87 ERA) to the mound in Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox. Bergert is set to make his third KC start after allowing four earned runs in his first 11 1/3 innings.