Kansas City Royals Rally in Eighth for Late Win

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals finally defeated the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night with a two-run 8th inning rally to win 3-1. After two consecutive 7-6 losses, the Royals managed to salvage the final game of the series to win their way back to .500 on the season.

With the game tied 1-1 in the 8th, the Royals loaded the bases with one out before Billy Butler broke the tie with a sacrifice fly to right. Danny Valencia drew a walk to hand a 2-run bulge to closer Greg Holland, who finished off the win with his 13th save.

The victory makes Kansas City 23-23, and they pulled within 6 games of Detroit in the A.L. Central.

On the Mound

Overall, starter Jeremy Guthrie, along with relievers Wade Davis and Greg Holland, held the Sox to four hits and one run.

Guthrie was the horse, going 7.0 innings while allowing only 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 run with two strikeouts. Guthrie allowed the White Sox to take an early lead on a walk to Adam Dunn, a fielder’s choice to Alexei Ramirez who then stole second, followed by an RBI single from Paul Konerko.

Royals pitching then shut down Chicago for the rest of the night.

Wade Davis pitched a clean 8th inning with two strikeouts. Davis earned the win (3-1) when the Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the frame.

Greg Holland allowed a single and walk with one out, before getting Alexei Ramirez to ground into a game-ending double play.

At the Plate

The Royals had 8 hits, 3 walks and only one extra-base hit (a double) on the night, but it was good enough to score three runs and a win.

Alcides Escobar continued his solid season at the plate, going 2-4 with a double in the 8th inning rally and a run scored. An Escobar that is hovering around league-average with the bat (OPS+ 98), is a star player when combined with his Gold-Glove caliber defense–which he is more likely to win if he’s respectable at the plate.

Norichika Aoki was a proto-typical leadoff hitter with a 2-4 night, with two singles, 1 run scored and 1 RBI.

Danny Valencia started his third consecutive game and continued his solid run with a 1-3 night, which included an excellent at bat in the 8th when he drew a walk to score an important insurance run.

This and That

Jeremy Guthrie continued his tough season in the field with a wild pickoff attempt in the 2nd inning that allowed Alejandro De Aza to advance to scoring position from first base. It was Guthrie’s 4th error on the season.

Aside from Guthrie’s miscue, the Royals played outstanding defense with two double plays and a nice catch by Lorenzo Cain on a liner to  center in the 3rd. If Cain can stay healthy, he is a strong candidate for a Gold Glove this season.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Even though he didn’t get the win, Jeremy Guthrie’s 3-hit and 1 run performance gets the nod after the Royals allowed Chicago to score 7 on consecutive nights

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• Billy Butler – 2
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 2
• Jeremy Guthrie — 2
• Jason Vargas – 4
• Alex Gordon – 5
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 5
• Yordano Ventura – 3
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy – 3
• Omar Infante
• Mike Moustakas – 3
• Alcides Escobar – 3
• Eric Hosmer – 5
• Michael Mariot
• Casey Coleman
• Danny Valencia

 The White Sox

 Jose Quintana pitched a solid game for the White Sox, giving up 8 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs. He held Kansas City to 1 run until the 8th inning. He left the game with the bases loaded,1 out, and a 1-1 tie.

Reliever Jake Petricka wasn’t able to wiggle out of the jam by surrendering Butler’s well-hit sac fly and issuing the walk to Valencia before retiring the side

Up Next

The Royals enjoy an off day on Thursday before travelling to Los Angeles to take on the Angels in  3 game set. The Royals will send Danny Duffy (2-3, 1.42 ERA) to the mound against L.A.’s C.J. Wilson (5-3, 3.16 ERA). Game time is 9:05 CST at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

2B: G Beckham (5, off J Guthrie).

HBP: A Ramirez (1, by J Guthrie).

TB: G Beckham 2; C Gillaspie; D Viciedo; P Konerko.

GIDP: P Konerko (4); A Ramirez (7).

RBI: P Konerko (11).

Team LOB: 5.

With RISP: 1 for 5.

Fielding

DP: 1. J Quintana-T Flowers-A Dunn.

Baserunning

SB: A Ramirez (8, 2nd base off J Guthrie/B Hayes).

Pickoffs: A De Aza (1st base by J Guthrie).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

2B: A Escobar (12, off J Quintana).
SF: B Butler (4, off J Petricka).
IBB: E Hosmer (1, by J Quintana).
TB: A Escobar 3; N Aoki 2; D Valencia; B Butler; L Cain; P Ciriaco.
GIDP: P Ciriaco (1).
RBI: N Aoki (9); D Valencia (7); B Butler (18).
2-out RBI: D Valencia; N Aoki.
Team LOB: 7.
With RISP: 2 for 5.
Fielding
DP: 2. P Ciriaco-A Escobar-E Hosmer; A Escobar-P Ciriaco-E Hosmer.
E: J Guthrie (4).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: J Guthrie (5; A Ramirez).
IBB: J Quintana (2; E Hosmer).
Pickoffs: J Guthrie (2; A De Aza, 1st base)