The Chicago White Sox gave up two runs in the top of the ninth inning to lose to the Kansas City Royals 7-5 on Friday. The Royals are now 10-4 on the season against Chicago, including wins in five straight.
White Sox closer Addison Reed (3-2, 4.56 ERA) came into the game with it tied 5-5 in the ninth, but he gave up three hits, including a two-run home run by Lorenzo Cain, the second of his two home runs in the game. The White Sox put a runner on second with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but pinch-hitter Dan Johnson struck out to end the game. Kelvin Herrera (2-2, 2.42 ERA) picked up the win in relief.
Chicago led 1-0 after a Paul Konerko RBI single in the first. Kansas City went up 2-1 on a two-run home run by Salvador Perez in the second. A.J. Pierzynski tied the game with a solo home run in the fourth. Cain and Dewayne Wise both hit solo home runs in the fifth. RBIs by Jeff Francouer and Eric Hosmer in the sixth put Kansas City up 5-3, but Alexei Ramirez tied it with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth.
The White Sox lead the Detroit Tigers, who are playing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Anaheim Friday, by a half game in the AL Central.
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