White Sox 4
Royals 9
Final
  for this game

Moustakas, Royals down White Sox

Aug 19, 2012 - 4:43 AM

Video

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Mike Moustakas clubbed a three-run homer and knocked in four overall as the Kansas City Royals downed the Chicago White Sox, 9-4, in the middle test of a three-game set Saturday at Kauffman Stadium.

Billy Butler finished with three RBI, Alcides Escobar had four hits and scored three times and Eric Hosmer added a solo shot to help the Royals win for the fourth time in their last five games.

"Sometimes you just have a pitcher's number," said Royals outfielder Alex Gordon of his team's success against White Sox starter Jake Peavy. "He's got great stuff and I don't know what it is. Maybe we're a little more aggressive against him or something, but it works both ways sometimes."

Bruce Chen (9-10) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six strong innings to earn the victory.

Peavy (9-9) was tagged with the loss after giving up five runs -- three earned -- on nine hits and one walk over 5 1/3 innings.

Paul Konerko homered for the second consecutive night and Adam Dunn clubbed his 400th career home run, but the White Sox lost for the eighth time in their last 11 trips to Kansas City.

"It's hard to enjoy," said Dunn of his milestone. "I wish it would have obviously come in a win for sure. That makes anything a lot better."

The Royals plated a run in their first at-bat when Escobar smacked a one-out single and Gordon followed with a double down the first-base line to score Escobar for a 1-0 lead.

Kansas City added a pair of two-out runs in the third as Gordon singled, moved to second on an error and then crossed home on Butler's base hit to right.

Moustakas then slapped a liner into right that was misplayed by Alex Rios, allowing Butler to score, while Moustakas slid in safely at third.

KC tacked on another run in the fifth as Escobar slapped a one-out single, stole second and then scored two batters later when Butler stroked a single to push the margin to 4-0.

Chicago finally broke through in the sixth when Dunn clubbed a one-out double and Konerko followed with his 20th homer of the season into left-center field to cut the deficit in half.

Hosmer's leadoff blast in the sixth gave the Royals a three-run lead, but a pair of White Sox made history in the eighth to bring the visitors within a run.

Kevin Youkilis stroked a one-out single for 1,000th career hit and Dunn followed with his 400th career home run, a two-run shot deep into the fountain in left-center field to cut the margin to 5-4.

Kansas City then blew the game open with four two-out runs in the eighth. Escobar singled to keep the inning alive and scored two batters later on Butler's single to left.

Moustakas then crushed a fastball into right field to provide the Royals with a 9-4 lead.

Game Notes

Dunn and Konerko are the first teammates in MLB history to hit their 400th career home runs in the same year. Konerko hit his 400th on April, 25 at Oakland ... Escobar had four infield singles, becoming the first player since Roberto Alomar in 2003 to accomplish the feat ... KC went 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base.






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