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The Royals were back in a winning mood as they kicked off the first game of a ten-game homestand by defeating the Chicago White Sox 3-2.
Both teams went quietly in the first four innings with the only excitement coming from White Sox centerfielder Adam Eaton hurting his shoulder falling to the ground after making a catch in the fourth, causing him to leave the game. The Royals finally got on the board in the fifth when Alex Rios doubled home Mike Moustakas, who had reached on a walk. But the White Sox got that run back the next inning when Jose Abreu doubled home Trayce Thompson.
The Royals surged back on top with an RBI double by Lorenzo Cain that scored Ben Zobrist. Cain has owned the White Sox this year, adding a triple in the game to give him nine extra base hits in eleven games against the White Sox this year with a .409 average. Eric Hosmer would single Cain home to extend the lead to 3-1.
Edinson Volquez was pretty sharp all night, hitting his spots and throwing some gas early on. He gave up a leadoff walk in the seventh to Adam LaRoche, but he induced a lineout by Alexei Ramirez and an easy 4-6-3 double play hit by Carlos Sanchez to end the threat. He exited the game with seven innings pitched, four hits allowed, one run, and two walks. Over his last seven starts, Steady Eddie has a 2.28 ERA, going six innings or more five times.
Luke Hochevar ran into some trouble in the eighth putting runners at second and third with no outs. But he was able to strike out the next two hitters, turning the ball over to Franklin Morales to get the final out of the inning. Greg Holland also made things interesting in the ninth by giving up a 426-foot blast to Adam LaRoche to cut the lead to 3-2. Over the last 29 games, the Royals bullpen has a 3.55 ERA, not terrible by any stretch, but not the invincible behemoth we once thought it was. However Holly worked around a single by Carlos Sanchez to strike out Tyler Flowers and end the game, earning his 24th save of the year.
The Royals are 64-44, the best record in the league. They are a good team. Remember this.