Royals snap a 5-game skid with a 5-4 win over White Sox, delaying Chicago's bid for a playoff berth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Miguel Garcia had three hits and three RBIs, including a tiebreaking, run-scoring double in the seventh inning, as the Kansas City Royals beat the White Sox 5-4 Wednesday night and delayed Chicago's bid for a postseason berth.

Chicago could have secured its first playoff berth since 2021 with a win over the Royals and a Texas loss to the New York Mets.

Instead, Garcia and the Royals played the role of spoiler.

Connor Thomas (2-1) struck out one and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings for the win. Steven Cruz struck out two in the ninth and earned his eighth save.

Kansas City had three straight singles to open the bottom of the first and Garcia drove in two runs with a single to right. Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a double that scored Garcia. Pasquantino made it 4-0, scoring on shortstop Colson Montgomery’s throwing error.

Chicago opener Bryan Hudson recorded just one out while facing five batters and allowing four runs, three earned.

The White Sox responded with five hits in the third inning — including Kyle Teel’s two-run single and RBI hits by Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami — sending 10 batters to the plate and tying the score at 4.

In his final start of the season, Kansas City's Seth Lugo allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out three in 3 1/3 innings. His 200 hits allowed lead the American League and his 99 earned runs allowed rank second.

Carter Jensen had three singles for the Royals (68-90), who snapped a five-game skid.

Braden Montgomery had three singles as the White Sox (81-77) remained one game behind the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians (82-76), who lost 1-0 to Boston.

Hagen Smith (3-3), the fourth of five Chicago pitchers, allowed a pair of hits and one run in the seventh.

The White Sox have not named a starter for Thursday's series finale. Royals RHP Randy Dobnak (3-4, 3.08 ERA) gets the start.

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Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel dives to third to advance on an RBI single by Miguel Vargas during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami watches his RBI double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia runs home to score on an RBI single hit by Vinnie Pasquantino during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia hits a two-run single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers lost David Njoku on Wednesday when the tight end was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Njoku got hurt early in the second quarter of a 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday that left the Chargers 0-2 to start the season. He is required to sit out at least four games.

He joins center Tyler Biadasz, wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith and linebacker Denzel Perryman on IL.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said tight end Charlie Kolar would not go on IR as initially expected after having surgery on his forearm Monday. He didn't practice and likely won't play Sunday at Buffalo.

Also not practicing were DL Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), S Elijah Molden (hamstring), OL Trey Pipkins (knee), WR Brenen Thompson (quad) and LG Kayode Awosika (fibula). S Derwin James and OL Khalil Mack had veteran rest days. James is also dealing with a finger injury.

The Chargers signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster after he joined the practice squad last week. He has started 69 of 116 regular-season games over eight years in the NFL.

Long snapper Spencer Triplett was signed to the practice squad.

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Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku (83) is carted off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)