Whit Merrifield’s pinch-hit, three-run HR turned a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 lead in the eighth inning on Thursday in Chicago. The Royals lost 6–4, but won the series and are 7–6 since the All-Star Break.
Whit’s pinch-hit HR was the 77th in Royals history and first since Aug. 18, 2014 at Minnesota (Erik Kratz). It was the first that turned a Royals deficit into a lead since Raul Ibanez’s pinch-hit, two-run HR put the Royals ahead 5–4 in Detroit on Aug. 18, 2001.
The Royals now have eight pinch-hits this season, two more than they had all of last season.