The Kansas City Royals survived a 9 th inning scare to salvage the finale of their three game series with the Chicago White Sox, holding on to edge the Pale Hose 7-6 Wednesday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.
Billy Butler drove in 3 runs for the Royals, 2 of those runs coming on his 5 th home run of the season. David DeJesus went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Royals led 6-2 by the time K.C. starter and winning pitcher Brian Bannister (10-7) left the game after 6 2/3 innings of work, giving up only 2 earned runs on 5 hits. The bullpen allowed the White Sox to get back into it. Jimmy Gobble, who relieved Bannister, allowed a solo home run to Paul Konerko to make the score 7-3 Royals. Joakim Soria then came in to close out the 9 th and allowed 3 hits, including a 3-run homer to Josh Fields to narrow the Kansas City lead to 1 run.
That’s where it ended, with the Royals ending the threat to shade the Sox 7-6. Chicago starter Jose Contreras (6-16) gave up 4 earned runs in 6 innings to take the loss.
The Royals (56-70) have an off day on Thursday before opening a weekend series Friday night against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Zack Greinke (5-5) goes to the mound for the Royals against the Tribe’s C.C. Sabathia (14-6).
