White Sox 3 - 6 Royals
Final
  for this game

Escobar lifts Royals over ChiSox

Jul 15, 2012 - 3:31 AM

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Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Alcides Escobar hit two homers, including a go-ahead solo shot in the seventh inning, and the Royals defeated the White Sox, 6-3, on Saturday.

Escobar helped give Kansas City a 3-1 lead with a two-run blast in the third inning, then re-established the advantage in the seventh, jumping on the first offering from Jake Peavy (7-6) and sending it over the fence in left field.

"There was no excuse for that," Peavy said of his pitch to Escobar. "It was a sinker. I was getting tired. I'd run it over the plate. Not much on it and there's not much action on it. Just right in the barrel."

The White Sox, who won Friday's series-opener in 14 innings, battled back from the early deficit, tying the game in the sixth with a leadoff homer from Adam Dunn and a two-out, RBI triple from Dayan Viciedo.

But Dunn struck out an inning later with runners on first and second and Greg Holland (3-2) ended the threat by retiring Paul Konerko.

Peavy was charged for six runs on 12 hits over seven innings and fell to 1-5 in his last six outings. Royals starter Luke Hochevar countered with five- plus innings, allowing three runs on five hits in the no-decision.

Jeff Francoeur had an eighth-inning RBI single for Kansas City and Lorenzo Cain capped the scoring with a pinch-hit, sacrifice fly. Jonathan Broxton recorded his 22nd save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

"As a reliever, you can pitch every night. You've got to be able to have a short-term memory and turn the page. Get right back out there and that's what I was able to do tonight," said Broxton who suffered a blown save on Friday.

The rubber match of this three-game series will take place on Sunday.

It was the first career multi-home run game for Escobar. The shortstop's third-inning blast to left came on the heels of Alex Gordon's game-tying RBI single.

The White Sox, who have still won 12 of their last 17 games, had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Gordon Beckham worked a one-out walk, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored on Alejandro De Aza's double to center field.

Game Notes

The Royals are 15-7 against the White Sox at home since July 4, 2009...Viciedo hit his first career triple...Peavy has received nine total runs of support over his last six starts...Chicago third baseman Kevin Youkilis went 0-for-4 and saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end.






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