Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez both hit
home runs and the Kansas City Royals extended their best winning streak of the
season with a 6-3 decision over the ChicagoWhite Sox, completing a dominant
three-game road sweep.
The Royals, winners of seven in a row, are playing their best baseball of the
season. They outscored Chicago 22-6 in the series and have beaten the White Sox in 10 of the last 11 meetings at U.S. Cellular Field dating back to last
season.
Kansas City provided enough early run support for James Shields (8-3) to
overcome three runs on 10 hits in six innings of work. Shields has now won
five straight decisions and the Royals haven't lost a game in which he's
started since May 2.
"We're hitting on all cylinders," Shields said. "It's really nice to see."
Chicago put a pair of baserunners on in the ninth against Greg Holland, but
Dayan Viciedo grounded out to shortstop to end it and give Holland his 20th
save of the season. Viciedo was the only White Sox starter without a hit.
All six KC runs were charged to Andre Rienzo (4-4), who dropped his fourth
straight start. Rienzo allowed six hits and four walks over six innings.
The White Sox matched a season high with their fourth consecutive setback.
After Hosmer's two-run blast to center in the top of the first inning provided
Shields some early run support, the hosts got one back on a controversial call
in the bottom half. Adam Eaton led off with a triple and scored when Shields
was called for a balk attempting to pick him off at third. Royals manager Ned
Yost was ejected by home plate umpire Paul Emmel for arguing the ruling, which
was upheld.
Rienzo retired the first two batters he faced in the third before plunking
Billy Butler and walking Alex Gordon to put a pair aboard for Perez, who dug
out a low breaking ball and crushed it out to left for a 5-1 lead.
Jarrod Dyson singled home Saturday's star Mike Moustakas in the top of the
fourth to make it 6-1 before Chicago slashed the deficit in half on Alejandro
De Aza's two-run double in the bottom of the frame. Adam Dunn and Alexei
Ramirez singled to lead off the inning and scored on the play.
Chicago put at least one baserunner on over the final five innings, but failed
to push any more runs across.
"We had opportunities," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We just didn't
come through enough with those chances."
Game Notes
The Royals, who have won five straight away from home, start a four-game set
in Detroit on Monday ... Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar went 0-for-3,
ending his 11-game hitting streak ... The White Sox hit 2-for-14 with runners
in scoring position.
