Witt and Royals rally in 8th inning to hand White Sox 16th straight loss

CHICAGO (AP) — The staggering Chicago White Sox lost their franchise-record 16th straight game as Michael Massey homered and Michael Wacha pitched seven strong innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a victory with 4-3 Tuesday evenings.

Bobby Witt Jr. had a 12-game hitting streak and had the first RBI in an eighth-inning rally that gave the Royals the lead for good.

“We’ve had big hits all year,” Massey said. “We know we’re capable.”

Chicago’s Andrew Vaughn homered for the second straight night and rookie Jonathan Cannon pitched seven terrific innings, allowing just Massey’s solo shot while striking out three and striking out two. He gave way to rookie Fraser Ellard (0-1), who walked two in his major league debut to set the stage for Kansas City’s comeback.

Down 2-1, the Royals got a bloop single from Witt to tie it before Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run single off Justin Anderson.

Vaughn had an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Sam Long worked another pitch for his fourth career save and first of the season.

Wacha (8-6) scattered five hits over seven innings, walked two and struck out five. He has won five of his last six starts and Kansas City has won 11 of 17.

“It was really good,” Pasquantino said. “It’s great to play behind him because you always feel like you’re in him.”

Chicago dropped to a major league-worst 27-83 and threatens to break the record for most losses in a 162-game season, set by the expansion New York Mets when they finished with 120 in 1962.

“It’s not for lack of effort. We’re busting our (tails) trying to get that win,” shortstop Nicky Lopez said. “It always seems like there’s one inning or one situation we have to go through and we didn’t do that.”

It was a busy day at the trade deadline for both teams. Kansas City acquired right-hander Lucas Erceg from Oakland for outfielder Jared Dickey and pitchers Mason Barnett and Will Klein. The move came after the Royals traded minor league pitcher Jarold Rosado for White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong.

Chicago designated hitter Eloy Jiménez went to Baltimore for lefty Trey McGough and cash, and lefty Tanner Banks was traded to Philadelphia for minor leaguer William Bergolla.

A move that many thought the White Sox might make never materialized. All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, the subject of much speculation in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s deadline, remains in place. His demand for a new contract and a starting role from any potential new team hurt the team’s ability to trade him. Chicago outfielder Luis Robert Jr. also remained with the club despite lingering trade talks.

SOIL BITES

Royals: Recalled RHP Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha. INF Nick Lofton was optioned to Omaha and RHP John McMillon was designated for assignment.

White Sox: INF Lenyn Sosa was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, LHP Fraser Ellard was promoted from Charlotte and former Los Angeles Dodgers INF Miguel Vargas was signed before the first pitch.

IT FOLLOWS

Kansas City’s Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) faces right-hander Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81) on Wednesday afternoon.

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