Eight-run inning propels White Sox to rout of Royals
CHICAGO -- Matt Davidson homered and drove in four runs, and Miguel Gonzalez allowed only two hits over eight innings on Monday night as the Chicago White Sox handed the Kansas City Royals their fifth straight loss, 12-1.
Davidson capped Chicago's eight-run sixth inning with a two-run single after he drove in a run with a single earlier in the inning. Tyler Saladino also tripled in a pair of runs before Todd Frazier followed with a two-run double. Tim Anderson, who had three hits, also had an RBI single in the inning.
The eight-run rally marked the biggest single-inning output by the White Sox since they scored nine runs in the fifth inning of a 19-2 win over the Texas Rangers on July 3, 2012.
Chicago's big inning was more than enough for Gonzalez, who allowed an RBI double to Mike Moustakas in the third inning and a two-out single to Alex Gordon in the seventh.
Gonzalez (3-0) gave up one unearned run, struck out five and walked one. Anthony Swarzak pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the victory.
Royals starter Jason Vargas (3-1) gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings. Vargas struck out five.
Leury Garcia collected three of Chicago's 15 hits.
NOTES: Royals C Salvador Perez returned to the lineup after missing two games with neck stiffness, which surfaced on Saturday. "He's feeling much better," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was very adamant about being able to play today." ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon will spend the next couple of days in Chicago before returning to Arizona as his throwing program continues to deal with bursitis in his left biceps. Manager Rick Renteria said Monday that there is still no timetable for Rodon's return. "He is moving forward in a positive direction," Renteria said. ... Chicago RHP Zach Putnam is day-to-day with tenderness in his right elbow. Putnam left Saturday's game with the injury. Putnam said Monday there is no structural damage or anything significant that would keep him from missing extended time. "We're just going to give it time to calm down a little bit," Putnam said.