Angels 6, White Sox 5 (10)
Howie Kendrick's two-out RBI single in the top of the 10th inning lifted Los Angeles past Chicago, maintaining the team's slim hold on the second American League wild-card spot.
White Sox reliever Matt Thornton (4-7) retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a double to Alberto Callaspo. Kendrick then followed by knocking a 1-1 pitch into right field, and Callaspo was able to cross home plate before Kendrick was caught between first and second while trying to stretch his hit into a double.
Ernesto Frieri set the White Sox down in order in the bottom of the 10th to save it for Kevin Jepsen (2-1), who pitched a scoreless ninth inning. Los Angeles remained half a game ahead of Detroit in the wild-card standings.
Chicago trailed throughout until Kevin Youkilis tied the game at 5-5 with his second home run of the game, a two-run shot off LaTroy Hawkins in the seventh inning.
The Angels jumped on White Sox starter Gavin Floyd early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Albert Pujols singled in a run and Mark Trumbo added an RBI fielder’s choice before scoring on a bases-loaded walk to Kendrick. Youkilis got Chicago on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer, but Floyd gave the run back in the second when his wild pitch allowed Mike Trout to score.
Trout then ended the second inning by robbing Gordon Beckham of a home run in center field.
A.J. Pierzynski hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to bring the White Sox within a run, but Pujols answered with a solo shot in the seventh to end Floyd’s night and restore the Angels’ two-run cushion.
Floyd pitched 6 1/3 innings, yielding five runs on eight hits. He struck out six and walked three. Ervin Santana worked six innings for Los Angeles, allowing three runs on five hits.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The start of the game was delayed by 31 minutes due to storms in the area ... The White Sox lead the American League Central by a game and a half over Detroit, which was a winner earlier Saturday against Cleveland. ... The blown save by the Angels' bullpen was the team's 15th of the year, tying for the American League lead. ... Trout became the first player in the majors this season to take home runs away from opposing hitters on two different occasions.