Why the Kansas City Royals’ Windy City opener was a breeze vs. Chicago White Sox

Seth Lugo continued his torrid start with the Kansas City Royals on Monday night in Chicago.

Prior to Monday’s game, Lugo had pitched to a 1.45 ERA through three starts. Each outing registered as a quality one, as Lugo had surrendered just three earned runs in 18 2/3 innings.

Lugo lowered those numbers in the Royals’ series opener against the White Sox. He tossed seven shutout innings as the Royals won 2-0 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The Royals improved to 11-6 and won their fifth consecutive game against the White Sox (2-14) this season.

“Really impressive,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Lugo’s performance. “(He) located right out of the gate, as he does, and he forces contact.

“I thought he got better as the game went on, too. ... But what more can you say? Seven shutout (innings). You can’t get much better than that.”

KC’s lineup provided Lugo with just enough run support. In the fourth inning, Vinnie Pasquantino hit a solo home run off White Sox rookie Nick Nastrini.

Nastrini, who was making his Major League Baseball debut, allowed two earned runs in five innings. He issued two walks and allowed three hits.

Lugo, meanwhile, cruised like the steady, veteran force the Royals envisioned when they acquired him as a free agent this past offseason. He scattered four hits; former Royal Andrew Benintendi accounted for half of them.

“I’m trying not to think about it,” Lugo said of his hot start. “Just keep putting in work and stick to my routine. Just try to stay locked in each night and pitch.”

After Lugo had done his job, the Royals turned to their bullpen. Chris Stratton rebounded from allowing four walks against the New York Mets on Sunday by tossing a scoreless inning. James McArthur pitched the ninth to earn his third save of the season.

The Royals will look to win the series on Tuesday night.

“Seth was was great tonight,” Pasquantino said. “I’m ready to watch whoever is at it tomorrow.”

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Here are more notable aspects of Monday’s game:

Vinnie Pasquantino hits 3rd home run

The Royals struggled early against Nastrini. The rookie hurler retired Kansas City’s first 11 batters, striking out five.

Then the momentum shifted with one swing.

In the fourth inning, Pasquantino hit his third home run of the season. He drilled a 94 mph fastball 421 feet with an exit velocity of 108.1 mph. It gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.

“I just feel like I’m trying to go have good at-bats,” Pasquantino said. “That’s it. Not really thinking about the results too much.“

Pasquantino finished 2-for-3 after hitting a leadoff double in the sixth inning. He’s now hitting .454 (10-for-22), with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last six games.

“He’s starting to heat up and it’s good to have him in the center of our lineup,” teammate and outfielder Kyle Isbel said.

Royals reflect on Jackie Robinson Day

Monday was special across Major League Baseball as every team honored the late Jackie Robinson with tributes.

Robinson, who famously broke the MLB color barrier on April 15, 1947, paved the way for Black athletes to play in the major leagues.

All players on every team wore Robinson’s No. 42 Monday. The Royals sported their road gray jerseys against the White Sox. The iconic number is retired and hallowed in every big-league ballpark.

“He broke barriers for a lot of people in this league,” Royals outfielder Garrett Hampson said of Robinson. “And it’s just a special day to celebrate that and to celebrate how far this game has come. This is a special day to remember him.”

Next on the KC Royals’ schedule

The Royals continue their three-game series against the White Sox on Tuesday.

Brady Singer will start for KC in the second game of the series at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago had not determined a starter for the contest as of late Monday evening.

On April 5, Singer allowed one earned run in 6 1/3 innings against the White Sox. He carries a 0.98 ERA into Tuesday’s start.