The veteran right-hander posted a 5.17 ERA and went 7-9 overall to wrap up his third season as a Royal.
The Kansas City Royals put a dent in the division rival Chicago White Sox's hopes at clinching a playoff berth on Wednesday night, coming away with a 5-4 win to even the series at Kauffman Stadium.
However, veteran right-hander Seth Lugo allowed Chicago back into the game during his final start of the season, giving up seven hits and four earned runs through just 3.1 innings of work.
Following the matchup, the 36-year-old made it clear that his results were not what he hoped for this season even though he has been one of Kansas City's healthiest and most reliable arms.
"Frustration," Lugo told Jackson Stone of MLB.com. "I think a lot of guys here are frustrated. Obviously didn’t make the playoffs... But at the same time, stayed healthy and made every start this year. That’s something to be proud of and something to carry into the offseason."
Kansas City struck early when Maikel García singled in Carter Jensen and Bobby Witt Jr. while scoring himself off an RBI double by Vinnie Pasquantino. Pasquantino also extended the Royals' lead to 4-0, capitalizing on a throwing error by Colson Montgomery.
Even then, miscues from Lugo including a hit by pitch on Sam Antonacci swiftly loaded the bases during the third. Kyle Teel was the first to capitalize, driving in Braden Montgomery and Chase Meidroth.
Miguel Vargas joined in the action, scoring Antonacci while Munetaka Murakami tied it with a one-run double to bring home Teel.
Chicago wasn't done yet in the fourth, chasing Lugo out of the game when Antonacci moved Braden Montgomery to second with another hit.
The rest of the Royals' arms held on, giving García the opportunity he needed to reclaim the lead with a one-run double in the seventh that allowed Witt Jr to come home once again.
The White Sox attempted a final effort in the ninth with another single, but reliever Steven Cruz stood his ground to induce a game-ending flyout from Antonacci.
In spite of the win, Lugo posted a 5.17 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while striking out 134 batters to wrap up his third season with the Royals since signing a three-year contract with the team in free agency following the 2023 season, which he spent with the San Diego Padres.
He also signed a two-year extension with Kansas City in July 2025, tying him with the franchise through 2027.
While the Royals as a whole have struggled this season, quite a few of Lugo's performances including that on Wednesday did not exactly help the team either in their late-season push for the playoffs, which failed with the team now eliminated from contention.
