The best story in baseball added a new chapter this week.
The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals Friday night, 22-1. That’s right.
22-1. Twenty-two!
The drubbing moved the Sox to 42-38 on the season, and kept them in sole possession of first place in the AL Central. Yes, the White Sox are in first place as we near the All-Star break. The same team that, just one year ago, finished 60-102.
At this rate, they’ll surpass that win-total by August. Amazing.
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
Friday’s beatdown was historic on a couple of different levels. The 22 runs were the most scored by the White Sox since 1970 (!!!), while it tied the most runs ever given up by the Royals in franchise history.
Kansas City was a sleeper pick at the start of the year to make some noise. The White Sox were an afterthought, and many considered them to be among the worst teams in baseball.
Never listen to the experts, folks.
White Sox score 10 runs in historic third inning
Lordy. What a beatdown. I played for the worst DIII college baseball team in the history of time back in the day, so I can relate. I’ve been on the losing end of one of those games many, mannnnnnnnnnny, times.
It’s the worst. It feels like it’ll never end. You’re praying for rain. You’re praying for mercy, and it usually never comes.
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Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
The wheels really came off in the third inning, when the Sox scored 10 runs and sent Royals reliever Mitch Spence’s ERA to an impressive 21.21. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an ERA that high before.
Spence gave up eight hits and all 10 runs were earned.
That’s called taking one for the team, folks. That’s the life of a reliever. Sometimes, you have to wear it on the chin so the team actually has pitchers available for the rest of the series.
It’s a thankless job, but a necessary one.
Chicago White Sox center fielder Tristan Peters rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
In total, four White Sox players launched home runs, two finished a triple shy of the cycle, everyone who had a plate appearance reached base, and eight players had at least two hits.
“That was sick,” first baseman Jacob Gonzalez said after the game. “No other way to put it.”
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Yep. That pretty much sums it up.
What a season.
Zach Dean is a writer for OutKick.
