Final
Royals seek to improve playoff chances against White Sox
Sep 16, 2014 - 2:41 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals continue the push toward their first playoff spot since 1985 on Tuesday when they resume a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.After losing three of four over the weekend to the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City got back on track in Monday's opener, as Lorenzo Cain's infield single in the bottom of the ninth capped a two-run rally with two outs and the Royals eked out a 4-3 win.
Mike Moustakas doubled with one out and was immediately replaced on second by Jarrod Dyson. Alcides Escobar grounded out, leaving Kansas City with just one more chance. With Nori Aoki batting, Dyson stole third and Jake Petricka (1-5) uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Dyson to continue through to home, tying the game at 3-3.
Aoki, who went 4-for-4 on the evening, proceeded to rip a double inside the third-base line to keep the rally going. Pinch-runner Terrance Gore came on for Aoki and similar to Dyson, took third as Cain's single was chopped over Petricka's head and raced home to score the winning run as Alexei Ramirez had trouble with the bouncing ball behind second.
"Exciting," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It was really exciting. When you have that kind of speed, it helps you and that's what happened today."
Kansas City still trails Detroit, which won at Minnesota on Monday, by 1 1/2 games in the AL Central. The Royals, though, are two games up on the Seattle Mariners in the race for the second wild card.
Wade Davis (9-2) grabbed the win for a scoreless ninth.
Kansas City had hoped to have Danny Duffy back for this start, but will opt to have him throw a simulated game, as he recovers from a sore left shoulder. Instead, the Royals will turn to righty Liam Hendriks, who is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA.
Hendriks lasted just 2 1/3 innings in a loss to Boston on Thursday and surrendered three runs (2 earned) and four hits with a pair of walks. He is 0-3 in four starts versus the White Sox with a 6.64 ERA.
"Instead of just throwing the ball, I think I was trying to aim it a little bit and make it move, and to do everything it really doesn't need to be doing," Hendriks said. "I just need to go out there and throw it. I was always behind today. It just wasn't acceptable."
Chicago, meanwhile, will take another look at 25-year-old righty Chris Bassitt, who will be making his third big league start. Bassitt did not get a decision versus Oakland on Wednesday, but pitched well, surrendering just a run in six innings.
Bassitt pitched to a 2.08 ERA in 43 1/3 minor league innings this year, but has compiled a 4.73 ERA in three outings in the majors.
Kansas City has won nine of its 13 matchups with the White Sox this season.
- CHICAGO: 7
KANSAS CITY: 5
Final
Sep 17 12:27 AM - Conor Gillaspie tripled to center scored Josh Phegley, Alexei Ramirez and Jose Abreu with one out. Runner on third and Avisail Garcia due up.
White Sox 7, Royals 5 Top 7, 1 OutSep 16 11:35 PM - Norichika Aoki singled to center scored Alcides Escobar with one out. Runner on first and Lorenzo Cain due up.
White Sox 4, Royals 5 Bot 6, 1 OutSep 16 11:02 PM - Omar Infante sacrifice fly out to left scored Alex Gordon with two outs. Runner on first and Mike Moustakas due up.
White Sox 4, Royals 4 Bot 5, 2 OutsSep 16 10:33 PM - Josh Phegley sacrifice fly out to center scored Andy Wilkins with two outs. Runner on first and Adam Eaton due up.
White Sox 4, Royals 3 Top 4, 2 OutsSep 16 9:48 PM - Carlos Sanchez sacrifice fly out to center scored Avisail Garcia with one out. On the play, Andy Wilkins advances to third. Runners on first and third and Josh Phegley due up.
White Sox 3, Royals 3 Top 4, 1 OutSep 16 9:46 PM - Alex Gordon single to center scored Alcides Escobar and Norichika Aoki. On the play, Lorenzo Cain advances to second. Runners on first and second with none out and Salvador Perez due up.
White Sox 2, Royals 3 Bot 3, 0 OutsSep 16 9:17 PM - Alexei Ramirez sacrifice fly out to right scored Adam Eaton. None on with two outs and Jose Abreu due up.
White Sox 2, Royals 1 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 16 9:01 PM - Mike Moustakas single to right scored Salvador Perez. On the play, Omar Infante advances to second and Eric Hosmer out at home. Runners on first and second with two outs and Jarrod Dyson due up.
White Sox 1, Royals 1 Bot 2, 2 OutsSep 16 8:51 PM - Jose Abreu grounded into a fielder's choice, short to second scored Adam Eaton. On the play, Alexei Ramirez out at second. Runner on first with one out and Conor Gillaspie due up.
White Sox 1, Royals 0 Top 1, 1 OutSep 16 8:15 PM - CHICAGO: 0
KANSAS CITY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 16 8:10 PM
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