White Sox use home runs to gain 2nd straight win
May 20, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch runner Jarrod Dyson (1) steals second base as Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (15) signals he made the tag in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The White Sox won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
For the second night in a row, the Chicago White Sox used the power of the home run to help them defeat the Kansas City Royals by a 7-6 score, taking the first two games of this series.
Tyler Flowers hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Adam Dunn blasted a three-run shot in the eighth with one out in what turned out to be three huge runs for the “Good Guys.”
This was a very solid starting pitching effort by Andre Rienzo, who stayed undefeated on the season, moving to 4-0 overall. He allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks in six innings of work.
Rienzo struck out eight, and I felt this was his best effort of the season thus far, while helping the White Sox (23-24) keep the momentum they had from Monday night.
For the season, Rienzo has an ERA of 4.00.
Kansas City drops to 22-23 overall.
Leading the Royals were four batters with two hits each.
The bullpen allowed four runs, as Scott Downs gave up two earned runs in a third of an inning, and Frank Francisco didn’t record an out but allowed a run as well. In the ninth, Ronald Belisario gave up a run but did enough to earn the save, his first of the season.
I can’t complain too much about a win by the White Sox, but I’d like to see the middle of the bullpen keep the game a little closer.
Conor Gillaspie led the White Sox by going 3-for-4 with two runs. Gordon Beckham was 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.
The White Sox finished 3-for-6 with RISP, leaving four stranded.
That’s all I’m saying about the game on this night, as we all need to just savor the win and what will be a series victory over the Royals no matter Wednesday’s outcome.
On Wednesday, the White Sox play at 7:10 p.m. CT with Jose Quintana (2-3, 3.67), and he’ll oppose Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie (2-3, 4.76).
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