KC Royals began Saturday with a roster move. They finished by beating the White Sox

The Kansas City Royals have inched closer to erasing their disappointing 2023 campaign from recent memory.

Last season, the Royals won 56 games and finished as one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball.

On Saturday, the Royals picked up their 54th win. The Royals defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-1 to earn a series victory at Kauffman Stadium.

“We wanted to come out firing in this second half,” Royals starter Brady Singer said. “You know, for sure, we’ve done a great these first two games and we are looking to continue tomorrow.”

On Saturday, the Royals did it with a balanced attack.

KC scored three runs in the first inning against White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon. Royals trio Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez each singled to start the game.

It paved the way for second baseman Michael Massey and outfielder Hunter Renfroe to bring them home. The Royals quickly took a 3-0 lead and didn’t look back.

“Some things we’ve really been trying to work on is getting to starters early (to) help our pitchers out as much as we can,” Renfroe said.

Later, the Royals scored three insurance runs.

The runs were key in helping starter Brady Singer shut down the White Sox. He recorded seven scoreless innings as KC made it two consecutive wins to begin the second half.

“He seemed like he had control from the start, but just gave him a little run support,” Massey said of Singer. “He did a great job of going out and getting shutdown innings.”

Chicago fell to 27-72. The White Sox scored their lone run in the eighth inning against new Royals reliever Hunter Harvey .

Missed previous Royals coverage?

Game 1: Royals return from All-Star Break with 7-1 victory over White Sox

Bobby Baseball: Why one homer reminded Royals fans of Bobby Witt Jr.’s ascension

Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:

Brady Singer adds another quality start

Singer added another signature moment to his ledger while continuing a trend of strong Royals starting pitching performances.

Singer tossed seven scoreless innings against the White Sox. He allowed five hits and registered seven strikeouts.

“We always talk about it with him, it’s the way he locates,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Singer primarily stuck with his sinker and slider, but it was his sweeper that drew the attention postgame. Singer said he tinkered with his pitching grip, which yielded successful results.

“I saw the pitch grip on Twitter last night,” Singer said, “and actually decided to use it today.”

Royals release starter Jordan Lyles

The Royals made an additional roster move on Saturday. KC released starter Jordan Lyles after he was activated from the restricted list.

Lyles has been away from the team since early April. The Royals placed him on the restricted list on April 20 after he made five bullpen appearances.

Lyles spent two seasons with the Royals. He registered a 6.11 ERA in 36 games and was primarily a starter in 2023. He posted a 6-17 record and logged three complete games in that span.

Per Spotrac, Lyles was making $8.5 million in the final year of his contract. He will now go through release waivers.

What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?

The Royals conclude their weekend series against the White Sox on Sunday afternoon. KC looks for a series sweep behind right-hander Seth Lugo.

Lugo, who made his first All-Star appearance this season, is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in nine home starts at Kauffman Stadium. He will face the White Sox for the second time this season after allowing one earned run against Chicago on April 4.

The White Sox will start right-hander Drew Thorpe in the series finale. He owns a 3.58 ERA this season.