Cabrera, Saladino, Rodon lead White Sox over Royals
CHICAGO -- Melky Cabrera and Tyler Saladino each drove in a pair of runs and Carlos Rodon allowed only one earned run and struck out a season-high nine batters as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2 on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Rodon (7-8) worked six innings and scattered six hits to pace the White Sox, who won their third straight game and for the fifth time in their last seven games. The Royals, who are in the hunt for the American League's second wild card spot, lost for the sixth time in their last nine games.
Saladino broke the game open in the eighth inning with a two-run single, his third hit of the night.
Rodon pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning. After allowing a pinch-hit single to Whit Merrifield to load the bases, Rodon struck out Paulo Orlando for his ninth strikeout of the night.
The White Sox built a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning. Melky Cabrera delivered a one-out RBI single just out of the reach of diving, drawn-in first baseman Eric Hosmer. The single scored Adam Eaton, who led off the inning with his second double of the game.
Justin Morneau followed with an RBI single before Royals starter Yordano Ventura got out of the jam by starting an inning-ending double play.
Chicago went ahead 3-2 in the third. After Tyler Saladino led off with a double and stole third, Tim Anderson followed with a one-out RBI single. Anderson moved to third with a stolen base and a throwing error by Royals catcher Drew Butera before Jose Abreu drove in Anderson with a RBI infield single.
The Royals jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Hosmer drove in both runs with a two-run single, scoring Paulo Orlando, who reached on an error and Lorenzo Cain, who singled.
The White Sox responded with a run in their half of the first on a Cabrera sacrifice fly that scored Eaton, who doubled to lead off the inning.
NOTES: Royals C Salvador Perez missed his second straight game with a bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday. Manager Ned Yost said Friday Perez is still feeling discomfort when he swings a bat, but is fine when he throws. Yost said Perez could be ready to play by Saturday. ...Royals RF Lorenzo Cain returned to the lineup after missing six straight games with a left wrist injury. "He's still going to feel it, but we're bound and determined he's ready to go," Yost said. ...White Sox manager Robin Ventura said RHP James Shields is good to start Saturday's game after recently experiencing back pain. Shields threw a side session earlier this week after undergoing an MRI exam. Shields has never missed a start in his career and his nine straight 200-inning seasons is the longest active streak, but that will end this season.