The Chicago White Sox are proving that patience pays off. After three straight seasons of 100-plus losses, the South Siders have clawed their way back to relevance with a thrilling 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night—their fifth consecutive win.

Randal Grichuk was the star of the show, launching a two-run homer and driving in four runs total. The veteran outfielder, who signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with Chicago on May 4 after being designated for assignment by the Yankees, is making the most of his fresh start. His homer was his third in just five games, and he's already racked up seven RBIs in a White Sox uniform.

Chase Meidroth chipped in with two hits and an RBI as Chicago improved to 22-21, marking the first time they've been above .500 this late in the season since 2022. Even more impressive? The White Sox now sit just one game behind the idle Cleveland Guardians for first place in the AL Central.

Anthony Kay (3-1) delivered a solid start, allowing two runs and six hits over six-plus innings. He was relieved by Tyler Davis after Kyle Isbel tripled to lead off the seventh, and Sean Newcomb locked things down with two scoreless frames for his first save of the year.

The Royals struck first on Lane Thomas's sacrifice fly in the opening inning, but Grichuk answered immediately with his two-run blast in the bottom half. He added two more on a bases-loaded single in the third, and Meidroth's RBI single in the fourth pushed the lead to 5-1.

Lane Thomas and Maikel Garcia drove in Kansas City's runs, and Salvador Perez had two hits. Kris Bubic (3-2) struggled, allowing five runs and five hits with three walks over four innings.

The White Sox have now swept three series this season and extended the Royals' losing streak to four games. Next up: the crosstown rivalry heats up as Chicago hosts the Cubs at Rate Field on Friday, with Sean Burke (2-3, 3.68) facing Edward Cabrera (3-1, 3.88).