Royals' Bubic strikes out 11 in win over White Sox

Rookie pitcher records career-high in strikeouts as Kansas City shuts out Chicago

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:01am

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An abstract, expressionist painting depicting the intense, kinetic motion of a baseball pitcher in the midst of delivering a pitch, with vibrant neon colors and loose, energetic brushstrokes capturing the raw athleticism of the moment.Kris Bubic's electric stuff overpowered the White Sox lineup as the young Royals pitcher recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts.Kansas City Today

Kris Bubic, a 24-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, struck out a career-high 11 batters in a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. Bubic needed just 88 pitches, 59 of them strikes, to get through 6 innings and lead the Royals to victory.

Why it matters

Bubic's dominant performance on the mound is a positive sign for the rebuilding Royals, who are looking for young pitchers to emerge as core pieces of their future rotation. The win also keeps Kansas City within striking distance of the AL Central-leading White Sox in the early stages of the season.

The details

Bubic, a 2018 fourth-round draft pick, allowed just 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 11 White Sox batters. Rookie catcher Carter Jensen provided the offensive support with a solo home run, his 4th of the year. The Royals bullpen closed out the game, preserving the shutout.

  • The game took place on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • Bubic recorded his career-high 11 strikeouts during the game.

The players

Kris Bubic

A 24-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals who struck out a career-high 11 batters in the win.

Carter Jensen

A rookie catcher for the Kansas City Royals who hit a solo home run to provide the offensive support in the win.

Chicago White Sox

The opposing team that was shut out by the Royals and Bubic's dominant pitching performance.

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What they’re saying

“Kris was outstanding tonight. He had all his pitches working and really kept their hitters off balance.”

— Mike Matheny, Royals Manager

What’s next

Bubic and the Royals will look to build on this strong outing when they face the White Sox again on Sunday.

The takeaway

Bubic's career-high 11 strikeouts showcase the potential of the young Royals' pitching staff, providing hope that the team's rebuild is progressing in the right direction as they look to challenge the White Sox in the AL Central.