Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) – Alexei Ramirez’s run-scoring single in the fourth inning proved to be the difference, as the Chicago White Sox held off the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, in the second test of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
Gordon Beckham and A.J. Pierzynski each scored once and drove in a run for the White Sox, who avoided their first three-game skid since a four-game slide from April 15-18. Juan Pierre knocked in the other run for Chicago.
Gavin Floyd (3-7) lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs — two earned — on seven hits to pick up his first career win in Kansas City. He was a miserable 0-4 with a 7.53 earned run average in his previous five starts at Kauffman Stadium.
Scott Podsednik had two RBI for the Royals, who had won four of five coming in. Wilson Betemit drove in a run and scored once in defeat.
Brian Bannister (7-6) gave up four runs on eight hits in a four-inning start. He also fanned four batters and walked two in the loss.
The White Sox drew first blood with three runs in the second. Mark Kotsay hit a one-out double and crossed the plate on Pierzynski’s single to left. Dayan Viciedo and Beckham followed with singles of their own, with the latter plating a run. Pierre grounded out to score another run.
Chicago added a run in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead. Beckham hit a one-out double and crossed the plate two batters later on Ramirez’s base hit to right.
Kansas City scored three times in the fifth to make it a 4-3 game. Alberto Callaspo singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Betemit’s double. Yuniesky Betancourt followed with a single and moved to second on Carlos Quentin’s throwing error. Podsednik’s base hit up the middle plated two runs.
J.J. Putz entered the game for Chicago in the eighth with runners on first and second and two outs. He walked Callaspo to load the bases, but got Mike Aviles to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.
Putz worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to pick up his second save of the year.
Kansas City and Chicago have split eight meetings this season…The White Sox have won 12 of their past 14 games…Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected by home plate umpire Tim Timmons for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the fourth inning…Chicago had scored two runs or less in each of Floyd’s previous six starts.