Cole Ragans, Royals dominate in shut out of White Sox

Cole Ragans struck out 11 over five solid innings and Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits with an RBI, as the Kansas City Royals continued their recent dominance over the visiting Chicago White Sox with Monday night's 3-0 victory.

Maikel Garcia and Drew Waters each had a run-scoring hit, while Garcia and Witt stole two bases apiece for the Royals, who won their third straight and 12th in the last 14 games. Kansas City has won seven in a row and 15 of the last 16 versus Chicago, which managed six hits and fanned 14 times while losing their eighth consecutive road contest against the Royals.

The White Sox have been shut out four times already in 2025.

Ragans (2-1), who missed his previous turn in the rotation due to a groin issue, yielded three hits and two walks but recorded at least 10 strikeouts for the fourth time this season. The left-hander was never really threatened by the White Sox.

Meanwhile, Chicago rookie Shane Smith (1-2) also was solid -- for the most part -- but allowed two runs, five hits and three walks while striking out five. He was lifted with a man on and nobody out in the sixth.

Ragans and Smith dueled for 3 1/2 scoreless innings. Then in the bottom of the fourth, Witt opened with a single to left, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and after Salvador Perez walked, scored via Garcia's grounded single through the drawn-in left side of the Chicago infield.

The Royals added another run in the fifth. Kyle Isbel reached on a bunt single, went to second on Jonathan India's single and scored when Witt doubled to right-center field. India, however, was thrown out at home on Vinnie Pasquatino's bouncer to Chicago first baseman Andrew Vaughn.

In the eighth, Garcia walked, stole second and eventually scored on Waters' double to left field.

Carlos Estevez worked the ninth for his 10th save of the season.

Kansas City is 12-5 at home this season. Chicago, meanwhile, is just 3-14 on the road.

--Field Level Media