Deadspin | Adrian Houser shines again, pitches White Sox past Royals

Jun 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Tim Elko (30) high fives second baseman Josh Rojas (5) after they score on Elko’s two run home run during the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Right-hander Adrian Houser gave up one run in six innings to lift the host Chicago White Sox to a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

Dan Altavilla pitched the ninth for his second career save and first since 2020.

Houser (2-1) gave up six hits, one walk and had six strikeouts in 92 pitches.

The 32-year-old right-hander was released by the Texas Rangers on May 15 while in the minor leagues. Chicago signed him May 20 and immediately put him in the rotation.

He has pitched at least six innings in all four of his starts for Chicago. He gave up three earned runs in a 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in his last start, with scoreless starts against the New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners prior to that.

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (3-5), gave up six hits and three earned runs in six innings. Wacha, who fell to 6-2 lifetime against the White Sox, walked one and struck five in 95 pitches.

The White Sox took the lead for good in the second inning. Josh Rojas started the two-out rally with a double down the right-field line. Tim Elko followed with a two-run home run to center on the first pitch for a 2-1 lead.

The White Sox’s Chase Meidroth made it 3-1 in the third with a towering home run to center on the first pitch of the inning.

Vinnie Pasquantino staked the Royals to a 1-0 lead in the second with a leadoff home run. The first baseman, who has reached base in 23 straight games, got on base four times with a home run, a walk and two singles.

It was the first home run Houser has allowed this season.

The Royals threatened in the fourth and sixth innings, but Houser managed to get out of both jams.

Maikel Garcia and Pasquantino led off the fourth with back-to-back singles. A wild pitch moved them up to second and third. Houser then struck out Salvador Perez, induced rookie Jac Caglianone into a comebacker and struck out Drew Waters.

In the sixth, Bobby Witt Jr. led off with a single, but Garcia hit into a 1-6-3 double play. Pasquantino then walked, but Perez struck out for the third straight time. He finished with four strikeouts.

–Field Level Media