Cole Ragans didn’t miss a beat in his return to the mound after missing his last start, striking out 11 batters as the Kansas City Royals blanked the Chicago White Sox 3-0 Monday, May 5 at Kauffman Stadium.

Ragans claimed his 11 punchouts in just five innings, allowing three hits and two walks. He had missed his previous start in Tampa because of a mild groin strain, yet was very much back in form against the worst team in the American League. The Royals bullpen combined to strike out another three batters while allowing three hits, with Carlos Estévez securing his tenth save of the year.

The Royals took advantage of lackluster fielding, with Bobby Witt Jr and Maikel Garcia both stealing two bases. The two also claimed RBI hits, with Garcia bringing Witt home in the fourth and Witt’s double scoring Kyle Isbel in the fifth. Garcia also scored the Royals’ final run in the eighth when Drew Waters hit a line drive to left field for a double.

The Royals improve to 20-16, claiming a half-game on the idle Tigers to now sit 2.5 behind Detroit in the AL Central. The homestand continues Tuesday evening against the White Sox when Seth Lugo gets the start. Pregame is at 6 p.m., with first pitch at 6:40 p.m., on KMMO-FM 102.9.