Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Norichika Aoki drove in the game-winning run 
in the top of the ninth and James Shields pitched seven strong innings, as the 
Kansas  City Royals beat  the Chicago White Sox, 2-1, in the rubber match of a 
three-game set. 

Mike Moustakas started the frame with a single to right and moved to second on 
a  sacrifice bunt.  Aoki singled on a Soft line drive, but Sox center fielder 
Adam  Eaton  threw a strike  from center as  Moustakas rounded third. The ball 
beat  Moustakas  home, but  he was able  to knock it  loose from catcher Tyler 
Flowers' glove as he slid into the plate. 

Greg Holland retired the side in order in the ninth to register his 26th save. 

Shields,  who  was going for  his fourth straight  win at U.S. Cellular Field, 
gave  up  one  run  and  six  hits while  striking  out  seven,  but  received 
a no decision. 

"He has the ability to make big pitches in crucial situations," Royals manager 
Ned Yost said of Shields. "That's why he's our ace." 

Wade  Davis (6-2) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the Royals, who have won 
their fourth consecutive series on Chicago's home field. 

Zach  Putnam  (2-1) gave  up two  hits and the  deciding run  in the ninth for 
the loss. 

Jose  Quintana  started  for  the White Sox  and  went  seven  innings,  only 
allowing  one run  and scattering seven hits, but received his fourth straight 
no decision. 

The Royals opened the game with one run in the first. Lorenzo Cain hit a lead- 
off double that bounced over the wall in center. A sacrifice bunt moved him to 
third and Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly to send Cain across the plate. 

The White Sox leveled the score in their half of the inning. After Jose Abreu 
doubled  to extend his  hitting streak to 13 games, Adam Dunn singled to score 
him. 

Chicago  was  poised to score  in the second,  but couldn't get anyone across. 
Shields  allowed a single, a double and a walk to load the bases, but was able 
to  get  out of  the inning  unharmed after  Gordon Beckham's fielder's choice 
grounder. 

"They've  got some good arms out there," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said 
of the Royals. "Early on you're wanting to do anything you can to add a little 
pressure and push a little bit to be able to score." 

From  then on,  Shields was dominant. After  the jam, he only gave up two hits 
and struck out seven until he was removed following a 1-2-3 seventh. 

The  Royals  managed to put  runners on  the corners in  the top of the sixth. 
After back-to-back singles, Quintana fanned Danny Valencia to end the inning. 

In  the top of the eighth, Ronald Belisario loaded the bases on a single, walk 
and  hit-by-pitch, but Eric  Surkamp took the mound and induced a pop out from 
pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez for the final out of the inning. 

                                   Game Notes 

Kansas  City has won  eight of its last nine series at U.S. Cellular Field ... 
Davis,  who last  allowed a run on June  25, hasn't given up an extra base hit 
this  year.  He  is the  only  pitcher  with  more  than four  appearances  to 
accomplish  the feat ...  Hosmer left the game in the eighth due to an injured 
hand, ending his hitting streak at 16 games.