The Cubs' Matt Shaw and Carson Kelly went deep off Noah Cameron (4-4) in the second, but the rookie lefthander was in control for most of the first six innings.

The Chicago Cubs came into the season expecting right-hander Colin Rea to factor into the rotation in some capacity. The 35-year-old had 76 career big-league starts before joining the Cubs, and the organization expected that experience to be valuable as they tried to build a pitching staff with depth and multi-inning options.

The Cubs lineup had a bit of a different look Friday, going up against White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser, who is in the midst of the best season of his career. Switch-hitting Vidal Bruján got the start at third base over Matt Shaw, and left-handed hitting Reese McGuire started behind the plate.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit two of Kansas City’s four two-run homers and doubled on a 3-for-4 afternoon, leading the Royals past the Chicago Cubs 8-4.

Cubs first baseman Michael Busch, left, wipes his face with a towel in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Royals on July 23, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Photos from the Chicago Cubs’ 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals on July 23, 2025, at Wrigley Field.

BLANKINGS: The Cubs’ 12 shutouts are one more than they had all of last season. They had 13 in 2023, 18 in 2018 and 21 in 2015. They had 22 in 1969, their most in the Live Ball Era. They had more in seven seasons between 1905 and 1918, with a high of 33 in 1907. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Vinnie Pasquantino hit two homers and drove in four runs to lead the visiting Kansas City Royals to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Kansas City is 25-26 in road games and 49-52 overall. Royals pitchers have a collective 3.50 ERA, which ranks second in MLB play. The teams play Tuesday for the second time this season.

THE KELLY FILES: Carson Kelly, last 19 games since June 21: .373/.441/.695 (22-for-59) with seven doubles, four home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored. THIS DAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Sammy Sosa’s 13th-inning single scored Ricky Gutierrez with the winning run as the Cubs defeated the Brewers 3-2. It happened 25 years ago today, Saturday, July 22, 2000.

Its Wednesday, July 23 and the Royals (49-53) are in Chicago to close out their series with the Cubs (60-41). Seth Lugo is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Colin Rea for Chicago.

The Kansas City Royals plan to call up 45-year-old pitcher Rich Hill from the minors for a start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, marking the left-hander’s 21st season in the majors.