Royals Beat White Sox 6-3, Even Series

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar put in his bid for next year’s home run derby on Saturday night, smashing two HR’s en route to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Escobar’s first jack came in the third inning, a two-run blast to left that gave the Royals a 3-1 lead.

In the sixth, White Sox All-Star first baseman Adam Dunn went yard for the second time this series, crushing a 450 foot rocket to center field for his 27th HR of the season. An RBI triple by left fielder Dayan Viciedo tied the game at 3-3.

Escobar crushed his second HR of the game in the seventh, a go-ahead solo shot to left that put the Royals up 4-3.

All-Star Jake Peavy (7-6, 3.12 ERA) earned the loss, surrendering six runs on 12 hits in 7 innings, striking out five and walking one.

Luke Hochevar (6-8, 5.16 ERA) was tagged with a no-decision after giving up three runs on five hits in 5 innings, fanning four and walking three.

The Royals’ bullpen shut the White Sox (48-39, 24-17 away) down after that, tossing four scoreless innings. Reliever Greg Holland (3-2, 3.66 ERA) got the win.

Kansas City (38-48, 15-24 home) added some insurance runs in the eighth, and closer Jonathan Broxton (2.14 ERA) retired the side in the ninth to record his 22nd save.

White Sox All-Star lefty Chris Sale (10-2, 2.19 ERA) takes the mound against right-hander Luis Mendoza (3-5, 4.50 ERA) for a game three rubber-match on Sunday afternoon at the K.