Royals’ rookie pitcher J.P. Howell and three relievers tossed a two-hitter against the White Sox, winning 4-2 in Chicago. Howell allowed both of those hits in the fifth inning and they led to runs. Chris Widger hit a ground-rule double in with two outs and Scott Posednik followed up with an RBI single. Pablo Ozuna, who walked earlier in the inning, stole home to make it 2-0. After that the White Sox didn’t get a hit.
Howell lasted six innings and the bullpen took over from there. Andy Sisco, Ambiorix Burgos and Mike MacDougal all pitched an inning apiece. Sisco was the only one to put a runner on base—he did so with a walk. Howell is the first Royals pitcher to earn a win in Chicago this year. The Royals were 0-8 on the road against the Sox in 2005 coming into the game.
At the plate, the Royals cause was championed by Angel Berroa, who gave the Royals a 3-2 lead with a two-run homer, his 10th of the year. Berroa made it 4-2 with sacrifice that scored Andres Blanco.
The Royals’ victory ended the White Sox seven-game winning streak.
