Royals beat White Sox 2-0 as Chicago's scoreless streak reaches 20 innings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha struck out seven while pitching four-hit ball through eight innings, Maikel Garcia homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the White Sox 2-0 on Saturday as Chicago’s scoreless streak reached 20 innings.

Garcia opened the game with a leadoff homer and the Royals added another run in the eighth inning when Garcia doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Vinnie Pasquantino.

Wacha (2-0) walked one before giving way to Lucas Erceg, who worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Erick Fedde (0-3) took the loss after allowing one run on three hits in five innings for Chicago, which last scored in the seventh inning of a 2-0 win over Kansas City on Thursday and lost 2-0 on Friday.

Chicago threatened in the first inning when Andrew Benintendi doubled with two outs before Colson Montgomery flew out to end the inning.

The White Sox also put a runner in scoring position in the seventh when Lenyn Sosa doubled, but no Chicago baserunner advanced past second after the first inning.

Chicago’s bullpen kept the game close. Sean Newcomb pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Fedde before Jordan Hicks worked the eighth.

White Sox third baseman Tanner Murray picked up his first MLB hit with a single in the fifth inning.

LHP Noah Cameron (1-0, 1.69 ERA) takes the mound for Kansas City. The White Sox have not named a starter for Sunday's series finale.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anton Forsberg made 27 saves in his third shutout of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings greatly bolstered their playoff chances with a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Artemi Panarin scored on a first-period breakaway in the regular-season home finale for the Kings (34-26-19), who won their fourth straight game and moved three points clear of their nearest competitor for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is also just two points behind Vegas and Anaheim for third place in the Pacific Division.

Forsberg earned his 11th career shutout while LA throttled the high-powered Oilers, who have knocked the Kings out of the playoffs in each of the past four postseasons. They also shut down NHL scoring leader Connor McDavid, who was left visibly frustrated after being called for two minor penalties, including a key holding call with 5:33 to play.

Connor Ingram stopped 19 shots for the first-place Oilers, who failed to get the one point necessary to clinch their seventh consecutive playoff spot.

This loss means Vegas and Anaheim both have the opportunity this weekend to leapfrog the two-time defending conference champions for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights face Colorado on Saturday night and the Ducks host Vancouver on Sunday.

Edmonton played without injured forward Jason Dickinson and lost forward Max Jones to an undisclosed injury during the game.

Forsberg might have unseated Darcy Kuemper as the Kings’ first-choice goalie for the postseason after yet another strong performance down the stretch combined with Kuemper’s noticeable struggles since returning from the Olympics.

The victory might have been the final home game for retiring Kings captain Anze Kopitar, but the victory makes that much less likely.

Fans still serenaded Kopitar with chants of “Kopi! Kopi!” after the final horn.

Kopitar took the microphone and teared up while he thanked the fans, saying: “We’re going to do our absolute best to come home for a couple more games in the playoffs, that’s for sure.”

Panarin did all of the scoring in the first period by stripping the puck from Evan Bouchard at the Kings' blue line and skating away for a top-corner breakaway. Panarin has nine goals since joining the Kings in a trade with the Rangers.

Oilers: Host Colorado on Monday.

Kings: At Seattle on Monday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid shoots during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid moves the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, left, moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Artemi Panarin, second from right, celebrates with center Anze Kopitar (11), right wing Adrian Kempe (9), and defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)