Royals settle for doubleheader split with White Sox

The Kansas City Royals got their second look of the season at Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde on Wednesday afternoon.

On April 5, Fedde allowed six hits and one earned run against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The veteran hurler turned in a repeat performance 12 days later.

Fedde tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings as the White Sox beat the Royals 2-1. The result gave KC a split in Wednesday’s doubleheader. It’s the Royals’ first loss to Chicago this season.

“He was just pitching to both sides of the plate and executing at times,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “I feel like we missed a couple of pitches here and there . ... He just pitches to the corners and pitches to get weak contact.”

The Royals registered five hits in the nightcap. Hunter Renfroe accounted for the team’s lone run as he drove in Nick Loftin with an RBI groundout.

KC had their opportunities—

The Royals didn’t capitalize on a sixth-inning scoring chance. In the eighth, Royals pinch runner Dairon Blanco was thrown out attempting to steal second base to end a two-out threat.

The White Sox (3-15) scratched across both of their runs in the middle innings. Dominic Fletcher recorded an RBI single and Gavin Sheets hit a solo home run.

Royals starter Michael Wacha took the loss, allowing two runs in six innings and striking out four. Wacha issued a pair of walks but still logged another quality start — the 12th for the Royals this season.

“It was a little frustrating, you know, wanted to sweep these guys,” Wacha said. “Just didn’t end up that way.”

The Royals (12-7) return home to begin a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

Here are more notable aspects from Game 2 of Wednesday’s doubleheader: