Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Andruw Jones’ pinch-hit grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning and led the Chicago White Sox over Kansas City, 12-6, in the finale of a three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.
Paul Konerko hit a pair of two-run homers and drove in five for the White Sox, who took the rubber match in the series and pulled within six games of Minnesota in the AL Central. The Twins had won earlier Sunday.
Sergio Santos (2-0) earned the win after 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. It got starter Lucas Harrell off the hook, after he was charged with nine hits and six runs with three walks over 3 1/3 innings.
Billy Butler and Brayan Pena hit three-run shots for the Royals, who have dropped eight of their last 10.
Philip Humber (1-1) took the loss after allowing five hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings while spelling Sean O’Sullivan. The KC starter yielded eight hits and six runs — five earned — over three-plus frames.
The White Sox moved ahead in the sixth against three Royals hurlers. Humber walked Omar Vizquel with one out, and moved up on an Alex Rios single then scored on a Konerko base hit. Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Pierzynski drew a walk off Dusty Hughes to force in Rios for an 8-6 game.
Blake Wood came on but Jones cleared the bases and the wall in left for a grand slam and 12-6 Chicago lead.
J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton turned in scoreless seventh and eighth innings, then Chris Sale stranded runners on second and third in the ninth after fanning Yuniesky Betancourt looking to end the game.
Butler’s three-run blast was a rude welcome for Harrell and gave the Royals an early edge. Wilson Betemit singled and Alex Gordon walked ahead of Pena’s three-run shot for a 6-0 game after one-half inning.
Konerko hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to begin the comeback, then hit another two-run shot in the third to make it 6-4.
Chicago knotted the game in the fourth on a pair of bases-loaded conversions, as Juan Pierre lofted a sacrifice fly and then a passed ball from Humber plated the tying run.
The White Sox won the season series 10-8, including taking seven of nine on Chicago’s south side…Pena’s last homer came on September 26, 2009…Scheduled White Sox starter Freddy Garcia was scratched with lingering back problems. He had an epidural injection on Thursday but the treatment apparently didn’t take in time for Garcia to throw…Royals second baseman Chris Getz left the game in the fifth inning after being hit in the helmet on a successful steal of second.