Duffy wins 8th straight as Royals edge Sox
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Danny Duffy won his eighth straight decision as the Kansas City Royals nipped the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Thursday night.
Duffy (9-1) pitched his first complete-game, limiting the White Sox to seven hits. He walked none and struck out six, throwing 71 strikes in 98 pitches. It was the Royals' first complete-game this season.
Cheslor Cuthbert tripled home Jarrod Dyson in the sixth and scored the go-ahead run on an Eric Hosmer single.
Rookie Carson Fulmer (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out three over three innings.
White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez was removed after 21 pitches and one-plus inning due to a right groin strain.
Leading off the second inning, Salvador Perez fouled off a full-count pitch. Gonzalez was visited by manager Robin Ventura and a trainer, and after a couple of minutes, he was led off the mound.
Rookie Michael Ynoa replaced Gonzalez and plunked Perez with his first pitch. Alcides Escobar then reached on shortstop Tim Anderson's error. Drew Butera's sacrifice bunt moved the runners up 90 feet.
Ynoa got out of the jam by retiring Billy Burns on a comebacker and striking out Raul Mondesi.
Duffy retired the first two batters in the second before allowing three consecutive singles to Anderson, Carlos Sanchez and Jason Coats for a run. Coats' liner to center brought home Anderson for his first major league RBI.
Ynoa worked a career-high three innings and did not allow a hit, striking out three, before replaced him.
NOTES: Royals DH/1B Kendrys Morales dropped the appeal of his one-game suspension and served the penalty Thursday. Major League Baseball disciplined Morales for returning to the field in the ninth inning Aug. 2 at Tampa Bay after being ejected. ... White Sox CF Adam Eaton returned to the leadoff spot after SS Tim Anderson struck out five times Wednesday to tie a franchise record. ... Royals CF Jarrod Dyson batted leadoff for the first time this season. He had started 42 games as the No. 9 hitter and 13 games batting eighth. ... Royals manager Ned Yost has not decided who will start Saturday at Minnesota after using RHP Dillon Gee, Saturday's projected starter, for two innings in the 14-inning game Wednesday. He said Gee was still "in the mix." ... Royals RHP Yordano Ventura and Twins RHP Kyle Gibson are the pitching probables Friday. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon starts Friday in Miami. The Marlins go with RHP Andrew Cashner.