Merrifield's 8th-inning hit helps Royals to 2nd straight win

[April 30, 2018]  Whit Merrifield's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a tie and lifted the Kansas City Royals to a 5-4 win Sunday over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Alcides Escobar started the winning rally by getting plunked by a pitch from reliever Bruce Rondon (1-1). A passed ball by catcher Omar Narvaez put Escobar into scoring position, and after Drew Butera popped out on a bunt attempt, Merrifield grounded his hit into center.

Kevin McCarthy (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to claim the win, while Blaine Boyer worked the ninth to earn his first save as the Royals garnered their second straight victory over Chicago after five straight losses.

Cheslor Cuthbert carried the Kansas City attack prior to Merrifield's single, clouting two homers and knocking in four runs. Cuthbert cut a 2-0 deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth with his first homer of the year into the bullpen in left-

In his next at-bat, Cuthbert doubled his home run total, golfing a down-and-in fastball from reliever Chris Volstad just over the wall in left-center with Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler aboard to give the Royals a 4-2 lead.

The White Sox fought back to tie the game with single runs in the sixth and seventh. Leury Garcia's RBI triple to center plated Trayce Thompson in the sixth, while Nicky Delmonico evened the score an inning later when he lofted an RBI double to right that chased Jose Abreu home.

Royals first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) celebrates with Kansas City Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez (13) after hitting a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Palka gave Chicago a 2-0 edge in the fourth when he doubled to score Abreu and Delmonico. Both teams wasted plenty of chances throughout the day, the White Sox stranding 11 men on base and Kansas City leaving 10.

Neither starter was involved in the decision. Chicago's Hector Santiago lasted 4 2/3 innings, yielding five hits and two runs with three walks and five strikeouts.

Royals righthander Ian Kennedy pitched five innings, permitting four hits and two runs. He walked two and whiffed six.

--Field Level Media

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