Kris Bubic Just Struck Out 11 and the White Sox Still Couldn't Score a Run

Kansas City's Kris Bubic put on an absolute masterclass Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, allowing just two hits over seven innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters as the Royals blanked Chicago 2-0 and snapped a three-game losing streak.

Two hits. Eleven strikeouts. Zero runs. That's the kind of performance that reminds you why Bubic was an All-Star last season before a July rotator cuff injury derailed his 2025. The lefty didn't surrender a hit until Lenyn Sosa doubled to lead off the fifth, then gave up only Derek Hill's single in the sixth. Bubic matched a career best with seven complete innings and walked just one, dropping his ERA to 2.50 through three starts this season. His previous strikeout high was nine, so this was a statement.

The Royals Finally Break Through

Kansas City had been stuck in neutral offensively, going scoreless through 15 straight innings before the fourth inning got things moving. Maikel Garcia singled to right, then Bobby Witt Jr. doubled it off the top of the left-field corner wall to score Garcia and break the ice. Witt has now hit safely in 23 consecutive games against the White Sox, which is exactly the kind of consistency you need in April.

Carter Jensen added insurance in the seventh with a solo shot over the right field wall. It was his first home run of the season coming at home after his previous three went yard on the road. Not exactly explosive offense, but when Bubic is dealing like that, you don't need much.

Chicago Gets Silenced

The White Sox came into Friday riding high after snapping a brutal 14-game losing streak at Kansas City the night before with their own 2-0 win. Davis Martin (2-1) actually pitched a solid game himself, giving up both runs and seven hits over seven innings without a walk, but it didn't matter. Chicago has lost 23 of their last 26 games at Kauffman Stadium. That's not a trend. That's a crisis.

Royals relievers Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg cleaned up in the eighth and ninth, with Erceg picking up his fourth save of the season. Meanwhile, Kansas City went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and extend their brutal RISP slump to 0-for-28 over their last four games. They got the win anyway, which shows you the kind of pitching performance Bubic delivered.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.