Benintendi’s fourth‑inning homer gave Chicago a brief lead, but Kansas City’s bats woke up in the fifth as the Royals bloomed for eight runs behind a steady-onslaught of good at‑bats and productive contact.

Salvador Perez started the rally with a solo shot, then Isbel and Witt Jr. added hits as the inning snowballed. Yastrzemski followed with a three‑run blast later in the game, sealing a lopsided win. Civale was tagged for five runs in 4 2/3, while Korey Lee handled catching duties and even pitched two innings after entering as a catcher—an eye‑opening two‑way moment for the Sox.