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Royals blitz ChiSox to take series

May 14, 2012 - 1:38 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jeff Francoeur homered and drove in two runs and Johnny Giavotella added a go-ahead two-run double as Kansas City used a late burst of offense to down Chicago, 9-1, in the rubber match of a three- game set.

Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, Irving Falu and Alcides Escobar picked up an RBI each in a six-run ninth for the Royals, who won by a 5-0 count on Saturday and have taken four of five overall.

Luis Mendoza (2-2) worked 5 2/3 innings, scattering seven hits and one run with four strikeouts.

"I just went out there and threw...I have to build that confidence," said Mendoza. "My last three appearances were good and helped built it up."

He was called upon since starter Danny Duffy left the game after recording just two outs and facing three batters with elbow tightness.

"He (manager Ned Yost) did the right thing. I felt a little tightness in part of my elbow. I'll get an MRI tomorrow to check it out, see what it is."

Paul Konerko knocked in the lone run for the White Sox, who had won three in a row before dropping the final two this weekend.

Matt Thornton (1-3) was charged with the deciding run while retiring one batter in the seventh inning.

Francoeur reached the seats in right with one out in the eighth for a 3-1 Royals' edge.

Jose Mijares, Greg Holland and Tim Collins managed to keep the ChiSox off the board in the home half, as the latter induced an inning-ending groundout from A.J. Pierzynski with two on. Kansas City then ripped the game open with six in the ninth.

With the bases loaded thanks to a double and two walks, Escobar scored on a passed ball. After Alex Gordon was given a free pass, Addison Reed hit Butler to force in a run and Francoeur singled home Jarrod Dyson. Eric Stults got the call but served up an RBI fielder's choice to Hosmer and back-to-back run- scoring hits to Falu and Escobar to cap the scoring.

The Sox picked up a run in the third as Brent Lillibridge reached on an infield hit, went to second on Adam Dunn's one-out walk and scored on a Konerko single.

Chicago starter Philip Humber rolled along until the seventh, when Escobar walked with one out. Despite inducing a foul out by Humberto Quintero, he was removed for Matt Thornton. who walked Dyson and uncorked a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position.

Giavotella brought both home with a pinch-hit double to right for a 2-1 game.

"I don't know if he's as sharp as he was in spring or in Seattle, but he was able to find his spots, control, and throw all his pitches," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of his starter.

Game Notes

Kansas City has won four of its last six in Chicago...Humber allowed four hits and one run, fanning seven and walking three, over 6 2/3 innings...Royals infielder Mike Moustakas was out for the second straight game to rest his sore left hamstring...Both teams are in action on Monday, as the Royals head to Texas for two games, while the White Sox begin a two-game set against Detroit.