Sox Now Just 3-5 Against Kansas City In 2011

Even though Kansas City is one of the worst teams in the AL this year, the Sox just can’t seem to catch a break against the Royals.

John Danks made his return from a trip to the disabled list and pitched a stellar game, but the bullpen spoiled his outing by allowing the Royals to grab the game in the eleventh inning.

Danks pitched seven innings of shutout baseball, giving up just five hits and a walk while striking out six. He left the game with the Sox leading 1-0, after Carlos Quentin hit his 19th home run of the season in the top of the 5th off of Bruce Chen.

Chen also pitched well on the night, with the solo shot to Quentin his only mistake. But the Royals saved him from suffering the loss. They tied the game with a string of hits off of Matt Thornton, and that’s where the game stood heading into extras.

In the bottom of the eleventh, with two outs, Alex Gordon was walked by reliever Chris Sale. He moved up to third on a Mitch Maier single to center. Then, Sergio Santos was brought in to replace Sale, but promptly issued a wild pitch during Billy Butler’s at-bat that allowed Gordon to scamper home and seal the game and the series for the Royals.

It was a disappointing game for Danks, who had been on a great run prior to landing on the DL. The Sox are off on Thursday, and will open a road series at Cleveland on Friday.

Danks Comes Off DL To Face The Royals

John Danks will make his first start since landing on the disabled list on June 26th with a strained oblique on Wednesday as the White Sox take on the Royals in the rubber game of their series.

Danks, 3-8 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, has largely managed to right the faltering ship that was his 2011 campaign. In his last four starts prior to his injury, Danks went 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA. He's had good luck against Kansas City over his career, going 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across eight starts. Mike Aviles is 3-for-9 against Danks with a double, while Wilson Betemit is 2-for-3 with a home run.

Pitching for Kansas City will be Bruce Chen. Chen, 5-3 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, is coming off a start against Minnesota in which he gave up four runs on nine hits and three walks over just 5.1 innings pitched. In his last game against the White Sox, Chen got the win after giving up just one run on four hits and three walks over six innings, while striking out four. Juan Pierre was 2-for-3 in that game, while Alex Rios was 1-for-2.

The weather in Kansas City is expected to be sunny and hot, with a game time temperature in the low 90's. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 P.M., CDT, and the game will be televised on CSN and FSKC.