Lorenzo Cain’s 3-Run Blast Fuels Kansas City Royals Win

Sep 17, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated by left fielder Josh Willingham (7) and shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) after hitting a two run home run in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Lorenzo Cain‘s 3-run home run in the 3rd inning broke the ice against Chicago ace Chris Sale in the Kansas City Royals 6-2 victory at Kauffman Stadium Wednesday night.

Winning a game against the tough Chis Sale, who came into the game with a 1.99 ERA, was a big rebound after blowing a late lead the night before.

The win puts the Kansas City Royals at 83-68, with 11 games remaining in the season. If Minnesota can hang onto a 6-4 8th inning lead over Detroit, the Royals could pull within 1/2 game of the A.L. Central. lead.

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura pitched 7.0 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 earned run with 7 strikeouts. Ventura left the game with the Royals leading 6-1. Ventura won his 13th game of the season (13-10).

Wade Davis pitched in the 8th inning, the night after the White Sox busted his 33 inning scoreless streak. Davis allowed a leadoff double, and and RBI single to give up runs in 2 consecutive outings after not giving up a run since June. Davis pitched 1.0 ininings, allowing 2 hits, and 1 run with 2 strikeouts.1

Greg Holland pitched a clean 9th inning with 1 strikeout.

At the Plate

Lorenzo Cain struck the game-breaking blow with a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning off Chicago ace Chris Sale (16-4, 2.20 ERA). Cain went 3 for 5 with 2 singles, the home run (5), and scored 1 run with 3 RBI’s.

Salvador Perez followed up Cain’s blast with an RBI single to drive in Josh Willingham for the 4th run of the inning. Perez 2 for 4 with 2 singles and 1 RBI.

 Alcides Escobar followed up Cain’s blow with a solo home run in the 4th. Escobar went 2 for 4 with a single, home run (3), and 2 runs scored with 1 RBI.

The Royals scored their final run when Eric Hosmer grounded into a fielder’s choice that the Sox turned into an out at 2nd. Alex Gordon advanced to 3rd and scored on a throwing error by Jose Abreu.

Nori Aoki had another strong game setting the table. Aoki went 3 for 4 with 2 singles and double, with 1 walk, and 1 run scored.

Overall, the Royals battered White Sox pitching for 11 hits—-including 2 doubles and 2 home runs—and drew 5 walks.

This and That

Nori Aoki rapped out 11 hits against the White Sox, the most in team history in a 3-game series. Aoki had a chance to tie the major-league record of 12 hits in a 3-game series, but he grounded out to 2nd.

Escobar’s home run was only his 3rd of the season, and his first in over 400 at bats.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Lorenzo Cain gets our nod as the KC Kingdom Player of the Game for his 3-run home run in the 3rd inning against the very tough Chris Sale in a game the Royals really needed after blowing a lead the night before. {related-category]

• Terrance Gore
• Casey Coleman
• Liam Hendriks
• Aaron Crow
• Josh Willingham – 2
• Billy Butler – 8
• Jason Frasor
• Francisley Bueno
• Danny Valencia
• Christian Colon
• Raul Ibanez
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 7
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki  – 7
• Salvador Perez – 8
• Jeremy Guthrie  – 5
• Jason Vargas – 8
• Alex Gordon – 14
• Bruce Chen   – 5
• James Shields – 12
• Yordano Ventura – 6
• Danny Duffy – 7
• Omar Infante – 5
• Mike Moustakas – 10
• Alcides Escobar – 7
• Eric Hosmer – 12
• Erik Kratz

The White Sox

Up Next

The Royals have an off day on Thursday, before the Tigers arrive in Kansas City for their final showdown with only 11 games remaining in the 2014 season. Kansas City will send Jason Vargas (11-9, 3.41 ERA) to the mound on Friday, against Justin Verlander (13-12, 4.81 ERA)  for the Tigers. Game time is 7:10 PM CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. [subscribe}