The White Sox torched the Royals for an eight-run inning en route to a 12-2 blowout in Chicago.
Jim Thome’s 36th home run of the season capped an eight-run fourth inning. He actually had two hits in the inning; his single to lead off the frame was the start for five straight batters who reached base safely. After Thome singled, Paul Konerko singled, and Jermaine Dye was hit by pitch to load the bases. A.J. Pierzynski singled to deep left field driving in two runs. Joe Crede’s double scored two more before Juan Uribe flied out for the first out in the inning. Two more White Sox singles sandwiched a Pablo Ozuna ground out setting the stage for Thome’s two-run homer.
Chicago added another run in the sixth and three more in the seventh.
Kansas City never made any serious threats to get back in the game, but they eventually got on the board with an Angel Berroa RBI double in the seventh. John Buck homered in the ninth but it was far too late.
Jon Garland (13-5) was just as good on the mound for the ChiSox. He pitched seven innings allowing only one run and striking out five.
Mark Redman struggled early and often, surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in 3.2 innings of work. His replacements Joel Peralta and Andrew Sisco weren’t any better. Peralta gave up a home run in 2.1 innings. Andrew Sisco allowed three runs in two innings.