White Sox Beat Royals 4-2
CHICAGO — In an all-out pitchers’ duel, the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
An RBI double by catcher A.J. Pierzynski gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the second inning. In the fifth, right fielder Jeff Francoeur tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run to right, his 11th HR of the season.
In the seventh, it was Billy Butler’s turn. Butler crushed a solo HR over the center field wall to give the Royals a 2-1 lead. It was Butler’s 21st HR this season, which ties his career-high for home runs in a single season. Later that inning, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko answered with a solo HR that tied the game at 2-2.
Royals starter Luis Mendoza pitched seven quality innings, but made a couple costly mistakes late. Mendoza (5-8, 4.36 ERA) gave up four runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one.
White Sox All-Star lefty Chris Sale pitched a beauty. Sale (13-3, 2.59 ERA) gave up two runs on eight hits in 8 innings, fanning seven and walking none.
The Royals (45-63, 24-31 away) wasted a golden opportunity to add runs in the eighth inning, when they failed to score after having runners at first and third with no outs. Both teams went 1-6 with runners in scoring position.
A solo HR by second baseman Gordon Beckham, and an RBI double by third baseman Kevin Youkilis gave the White Sox (60-48, 30-23 home) a 4-2 lead in the eighth.
Closer Addison Reed (3.83 ERA) slammed the door shut with his 20th save.
Lefty Bruce Chen (7-9, 5.66 ERA) takes the hill against White Sox right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy (9-7, 3.04 ERA) for game two on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
