Royals' comeback win vs. White Sox bodes well for postseason hopes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals continue to take care of business at home.

This weekend, the club secured a series victory over the Chicago White Sox. With a winning record for the first time since June 10, the Royals (63-61) are squarely in the American League wild-card race with 38 games to play.

Now the real test begins.

The Royals must contend with the Texas Rangers on Monday night. It’s the start of a four-game series that will have playoff implications. The Royals swept the Rangers in June and need one more victory to secure the regular-season tiebreaker.

As it currently stands, the Rangers (62-63) are 1 1/2 games behind the Royals. Both teams are chasing the New York Yankees (67-57) for the third and final AL wild-card spot.

“That was the mentality for us,” Royals shortstop Maikel Garcia said. “It was sweep the White Sox. It stays the same mentality to play against Texas. Just play the same baseball we played this month. Do the small things in the game.

“We have to play hard tomorrow and the next day, too. We have to win the series coming.”

The Royals can make a definitive statement with another series victory. Their starting rotation is lined up with veterans, with Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo scheduled to pitch on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Left-handed rookie Noah Cameron will start Wednesday night and right-hander Michael Lorenzen draws the start in the series finale on Thursday.

Every win is important down the stretch. And the Royals are 5-1 so far on their 10-game homestand after vanquishing the White Sox and Washington Nationals.

The question now is whether the Royals can keep it going.

“We have to play our best baseball going forward,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Sunday recap

The Royals couldn’t buy a hit against White Sox starter Davis Martin on Sunday. The Chicago hurler took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and kept the Royals off the scoreboard.

Martin induced soft contact despite walking three batters. Kansas City had an uphill battle to erase a late two-run deficit. There were chances — like in the fourth inning, when Kansas City got two runners aboard before hitting into a double play.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen that guy pitch live before, but 99 mph cutters, that’s not to be taken lightly,” Quatraro said of Martin.

The White Sox pulled Martin after six innings. He wouldn’t factor into the decision as the Royals leveled the game in the seventh. Then the Royals took advantage for a 6-2 victory at home.

Adam Frazier delivered a two-out double and Jonathan India followed with a game-tying home run. The blast traveled 451 feet.

“It’s huge for us,” India said of the win. “I mean, it was a big-time sweep in general. We are fighting for a playoff spot and chasing teams. So all we can do is keep winning ball games and worry about ourselves and that’s it.”

The late scoring got Bergert off the hook. He allowed two runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven batters. In his last three starts, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer.

“I think overall, I went into the sixth (inning) with only those two runs,” Bergert said. “It was solid, but definitely could’ve been better. Command was OK but the stuff wasn’t the best.”

The Royals pulled away late. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez hit RBI singles and Frazier put the game out of reach with a two-run homer in the eighth.

“When I got taken out of the game, Salvy was like, ‘Don’t worry about it, we will score some runs for you,’” Bergert said. “He said, ‘Don’t sweat it,’ and then they did.”

Vinnie back in lineup

The Royals dodged an injury scare on Saturday night. In the second inning, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino exited early due to a heat-related illness.

Pasquantino got some necessary hydration and was back in the Royals’ lineup Sunday. He was the designated hitter with Salvador Perez playing first base.

As temperatures eclipsed 95 degrees in Kansas City, the Royals took careful precautions to contend with the heat advisory. Players were reminded to be smart about their on-field work before the game and to continue hydrating.

Pasquantino will likely be back at first base on Monday night. He leads the Royals with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs.

Adam Frazier stays red-hot

Frazier continues to produce when his number is called. Since returning to the Royals via an All-Star break trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he has been a consistent force in the starting lineup.

Frazier entered Sunday’s game hitting .319 (23 for 72) with 11 RBIs in 22 games. He offers the Royals the left-handed infield specialist they’d been missing. He has split playing time at second base with Jonathan India and was in left field on Sunday.

“I feel good,” Frazier said, “and I felt good in Pittsburgh, too.

“So (I’m) just trying to keep things rolling. ... And then getting back and feeling like I never left. The comfort with these guys has helped.”

Despite committing an error in the sixth inning, Frazier had two of the biggest hits in the game. In the seventh inning, he laced a double down the left-field line. That extra-base hit paved the way for India to tie the game in the ensuing at-bat.

In the eighth, Frazier hit his fifth home run of the year. Kansas City has now won 14 straight games against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Top play: Royals execute perfect relay

Royals outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had to redeem himself against the White Sox.

In the second inning, he made a diving attempt in hopes of snaring a double off the bat of Chicago infielder Chase Meidroth. Yastrzemski whiffed on the catch but he had the presence of mind to recover and corral the baseball down the right-field line.

He hurled the ball toward India, who was the cutoff man, and India threw it on a dime to home plate.

“That was a big run off the board,” India said. “Kept them 1-0, I think, at the time. Yeah, big play for us.”

Royals catcher Luke Maile was waiting to apply the tag. He touched White Sox catcher Edgar Quero as the Chicago player tried to score from first base.

That fine defensive play got the Royals out of the inning. And it proved extra beneficial as they scored later in the game.

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