White Sox 2 - 0 Royals
Final
  for this game

Royals hope to stay in hunt, open set versus White Sox

Aug 20, 2013 - 2:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals try to keep themselves in the playoff hunt on Tuesday when they start a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City's postseason hopes has taken a bit of a hit over the past week and this weekend it failed to make up any ground in the American League Central, as the club split a four-game series with the division-leading Detroit Tigers.

The Royals had won the first two games of the set with the Tigers, but lost the final two and have dropped five of seven overall.

"We had a chance to win the series," Royals manager Ned Yost said after Sunday's 6-3 setback to the Tigers that dropped the Royals 8 1/2 games off the pace in the division.

Trying to reverse their recent fortunes the Royals will turn to righty Ervin Santana on Tuesday. Santana did not get a decision on Wednesday against Miami, but pitched well, allowing just a run in six innings of his team's 5-2 loss.

Santana, who is 8-6 with a 3.19 ERA on the year, lost to the White Sox the last time he faced them and is 5-5 lifetime against them with a 4.06 ERA in 16 games (15 starts).

Chicago, meanwhile, will hand the ball to left-hander John Danks, who is 2-10 with a 4.54 ERA. Danks lost his fifth straight decision against the Tigers on Wednesday, as he allowed six runs (4 earned) and nine hits in 7 1/3 frames.

Danks, though, is a perfect 5-0 against the Royals with a 2.74 ERA in 12 starts.

After losing 10 straight on the road, the White Sox managed to reel off wins in their final three games in Minnesota. They've won five of seven overall, but are still firmly entrenched in the cellar of the AL Central.

Kansas City is 7-5 against Chicago this season with four of those wins coming in the Windy City.






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