Royals' Daniel Mengden: Short start in loss

Mengden (0-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two across 2.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the White Sox.

Mengden made his first appearance in the majors since June 25, and it was also his first start of the season. He pitched a clean two innings to begin the outing, but he allowed six of the first seven batters he faced in the third frame to reach base -- including a two-run homer from Andrew Vaughn. Mengden could stick in the rotation until Zack Greinke (forearm) is able to return.