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Royals close brief set against White Sox

Apr 6, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals close out a brief two-game series against the Chicago White Sox this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, as they try to make it five wins in six games to start the season.

Kansas City notched yet another thrilling win in its final at-bat Tuesday, winning in 12 innings on Melky Cabrera's base hit to center. The 7-6 victory was the Royals' fourth win of the season and all have come via their last at- bat, including two straight in extra innings. Billy Butler drilled a two-run homer to tie the game at 6-6 in the eighth and Cabrera finished with three hits and three driven in.

Alex Gordon also collected three hits, including a two-run home run.

The late-inning heroics helped bail out starter Luke Hochevar, who surrendered six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in six innings. Jeremy Jeffress (1-0) got the win for getting the final two outs in the top of the 12th.

Paul Konerko launched a three-run homer while Gordon Beckham went 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored for the White Sox, who got seven decent innings from starter Gavin Floyd. He was charged with four runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

"We jumped up early and it looked like it was going to be an easy win," Konerko said. "They hung right in there and started swinging the bats and their bullpen did a heckuva job."

Tony Pena (0-1) took the loss after coming on for the 12th, as Chris Getz led off with a single, moved to second on Mike Aviles' sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Cabrera's game-winning hit.

"It really is pretty crazy," Getz said of the odd last at-bat win streak. "I could think of two. Not three and certainly not four. Obviously, winning is the bottom line, but hopefully we can reel off some wins early."

Jeff Francis gets the call for KC this afternoon after taking the ball last Friday against the Angels in an encouraging outing for the oft-injured lefty hurler. Francis' lone blemish was a solo home run to Howie Kendrick in the first inning -- one of five hits allowed over seven innings. He struck out four and walked one in his Royals debut.

The 30-year-old spent the last six seasons with Colorado and has faced the White Sox twice previously in interleague play, going 0-1 with a 6.75 earned- run average.

Mark Buehrle will also be making his second start of the season opposite Francis and will try to snap a two-game slide for Chicago. The veteran southpaw got the win in a 15-10 Opening Day victory against Cleveland. Buehrle went six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits.

The 32-year-old will be making his 46th career start against Kansas City -- the most against any team -- with Buehrle posting a 21-11 record and lifetime 3.57 ERA that includes two relief appearances. He matched up with the Royals on four occasions in 2010, going 1-2 with a 3.76 ERA.

Chicago will be without slugger Adam Dunn for at least the next five days, as he apparently underwent an emergency appendectomy Tuesday night in Kansas City.

Chicago won 10 of 18 matchups with the Royals last season.