{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreigu4j3awwd7n45oyprfeltrquculkhnwtwi7m6pghvch3ekqwgnf4",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpexmuan7272"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiacxffqb2qailhuvvl4utu56sn5zv5kqdeimrjhuopzxzfyek3gdu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 224648
  },
  "path": "/white-sox/2026/06/28/white-sox-royals-anthony-kay-homestand",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-28T21:50:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "tags": [
    "@whitesox",
    "@CHSN_WhiteSox"
  ],
  "textContent": "<p>The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>White Sox</u></a> couldn’t find a walk-off hero to make up for starter Anthony Kay’s struggles on Sunday, as they dropped their series finale against the Royals 5-4.</p><p>But the Sox had already clinched their franchise-record 10th straight home series win ahead of another important seven-game East Coast road trip.</p><p>Then again, they’re all big trips these days for a squad getting used to life at the top of the American League Central. First up for the Sox are the Wild Card-contending Orioles, followed by a pivotal four-game set against their top division rivals in Cleveland.</p><p>It was a back-and-forth afternoon for the Sox and Kay, who found himself in a 1-0 hole in the first inning with Kansas City catcher Carter Jensen’s RBI single.</p><p>Miguel Vargas responded in the bottom half of the frame with his 19th home run of the season, bolstering his All-Star case with a two-run shot off K.C. starter Luinder Avila that scored Sam Antonacci.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"TweetUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Going, going, GONE! <a href=\"https://t.co/L8bd5zPSmU\">pic.twitter.com/L8bd5zPSmU</a></p>— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) <a href=\"https://x.com/whitesox/status/2071299793465307239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p>But Kay hit a batter and Colson Montgomery misplayed an easy grounder to short to set up Royals center fielder Lane Thomas’ game-tying single in the top of the second. A wild pitch advanced two baserunners before Bobby Witt Jr.’s sacrifice fly put the Royals ahead.</p><p>The Sox took the lead right back after Antonacci started a two-out rally with a single in the second. He advanced on a double from Vargas, and they both scored on Kyle Teel’s broken-bat single to left.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"TweetUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">it's Teel time at Rate Field ⏰ <a href=\"https://t.co/pQyCZcQ2OR\">pic.twitter.com/pQyCZcQ2OR</a></p>— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) <a href=\"https://x.com/whitesox/status/2071309280687292532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p>But the Royals tied it back up in the third when Braden Montgomery’s dive came up short for Isaac Collins’ two-out bloop RBI-double to right field.</p><p>Then Jensen’s two-out double in the fourth scored Witt Jr., and prompted manager Will Venable to give Kay the hook. He gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk over 3 ⅔ innings with two strikeouts.</p><p>The Sox’ budding Montgomery connection kept the game within reach in the seventh inning, when Starling Marte tried to stretch a single into a double. Right fielder Braden Montgomery lasered a throw to Colson Montgomery for the out at second.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"TweetUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\"Not on my watch\" - Braden Montgomery, probably <a href=\"https://t.co/N6ay52WVlg\">pic.twitter.com/N6ay52WVlg</a></p>— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) <a href=\"https://x.com/CHSN_WhiteSox/status/2071329118604415392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src=\"https://platform.x.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p>Jacob Gonzalez, who walked off the Royals a day earlier, nearly legged out an infield single to keep the Sox alive in the ninth, but couldn’t beat the throw from pitcher Alex Lange.</p><p></p><h3>ON DECK</h3><p><b>SOX AT ORIOLES</b></p><p>Monday: Sean Burke (5-4, 3.71 ERA) vs. Shane Baz (4-8, 4.31), 5:35 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.</p><p>Tuesday: Erick Fedde (2-6, 4.34) vs. Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.64), 5:35 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.</p><p>Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA, 11:35 a.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.</p>",
  "title": "White Sox can’t finish sweep of Kansas City, but head to East Coast flying high",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-28T21:05:16.304Z"
}