White Sox 2 - 7 Royals
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Buehrle leads White Sox into opener with Royals

Sep 15, 2011 - 3:00 PM

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(Sports Network) - Mark Buehrle tries to stop a personal two-game losing streak this evening when the Chicago White Sox open a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

After allowing seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings to Detroit on September 4, Buehrle was again roughed up on Friday against Cleveland, as he permitted seven runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, dropping him to 11-8 on the year to go along with a 3.58 earned run average.

"I have three starts left I think. Just do what I can to pitch good in those three starts and hopefully, it's better than what I've done these last couple," said Buehrle, who is a free agent at season's end. "To be honest with you, I'm not thinking about next year. I'm not figuring out what's going to happen or where am I going or am I coming back? Three more starts and then look forward to the offseason."

The 32-year-old hurler is just 14 innings and two starts away from reaching his 11th straight season with at least 200 innings, 30 starts and double-digit victories.

Buehrle is 1-0 in three starts versus the Royals this season and 22-11 lifetime against them with a 3.64 ERA in 50 games, 48 of which have been starts.

He will be trying to help the White Sox snap a four-game skid tonight after they were just swept in a three-game set by the red-hot Detroit Tigers, who posted a 6-5 win in 10 innings on Wednesday.

Sergio Santos (4-5) was charged with the tying run in the ninth and then gave up the deciding run in the 10th to take the loss. Alexei Ramirez had two hits, two RBI and a run scored in defeat.

Dylan Axelrod, making his first career start, allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight through six innings for Chicago.

"He threw great. He deserved to win," White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said about Axelrod. "For his first big league start to go out and pitch the way he did, it was fun to watch and nice to see."

Kansas City, meanwhile, completed a sweep of its own on Wednesday, as Mike Moustakas went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored to help the Royals sweep a two-game set against Minnesota with a 7-3 win.

Salvador Perez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Johnny Giavotella drove in two runs for the Royals, who tied their season high with their fourth straight win. Luke Hochevar (11-11) went six innings in the win, giving up two runs on five hits.

"Our offense is really swinging the bats real good right now," said Kansas City manager Ned Yost. "It's a well-balanced attack and it's nice to see things coming around right now."

Tonight, Kansas City will rely on lefty Jeff Francis, who is 5-16 with a 4.88 ERA. Francis lost his second straight start on Friday in Seattle, as he allowed five runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

He is 0-2 in five starts versus the White Sox with a 6.04 ERA.

The Royals have won six of their 11 matchups with the White Sox this season






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