Royals Go Scoreless Through Seven, Lose To White Sox Again

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Carlos Quentin clubbed two home runs and Gavin Floyd pitched into the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox took a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals in the second of a three-game set.

Floyd (5-7) won his third straight start as he was charged with six hits and a run with a walk and four strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings for the White Sox, who have won seven straight. Quentin hit a solo and two-run home run while newly- named All-Star Paul Konerko drove in a run and scored once in the win.

"We're cooking right now and hopefully we can take the game tomorrow and go into the All-Star break on a high note," said Floyd.

David DeJesus drove in the lone run for the Royals, who have dropped the first two of this set after sweeping Seattle in three games. Brian Bannister (7-7) went six innings and was charged with five runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

"They're on a good roll right now," said Kansas City manager Ned Yost about Chicago. "The key to that is their starting pitching. You don't reel off as many wins as they have without good starting pitching."

Kansas City got its first two men of the game on base with back-to-back singles, but DeJesus struck out and Billy Butler struck out with Scott Podsednik getting caught stealing third on the play to end the inning.

Chicago grabbed the lead in the second when Quentin led off the frame by clubbing a 1-0 pitch into the left field stands.

Floyd set the Royals down in order over the next three innings before Jose Guillen led off the fifth with a double. The next two batters recorded outs, but Guillen moved to third on a wild pitch. Mitch Maier, though, struck out to end the inning.

The White Sox surged ahead in the fifth. Gordon Beckham led off the frame with a homer to left. With one on and two outs, Konerko roped a double to left that scored Omar Vizquel. Quentin followed with his second home run of the game for a 5-0 lead.

The Royals got on the board in the eighth when Jason Kendall hit a two-out single and, after Matt Thornton took the mound, DeJesus followed with a double.

J.J. Putz worked around a leadoff single in the ninth by retiring the next three batters to close out the win.

Chicago has won 24 of its last 29 games...The White Sox have won six of the 11 games with Kansas City this season...Floyd improved to 3-7 in his career against Kansas City...Bannister is 4-7 versus Chicago...Zack Greinke takes the mound for KC on Sunday and will be opposed by Dan Hudson...Konerko will replace Minnesota's Justin Morneau on the AL All-Star roster.

Royals Vs. White Sox: Jose Guillen Returns To The Lineup

(Sports Network) - U.S. Cellular Field is the site of tonight's clash between the Kansas City Royals and hometown Chicago White Sox, as the two teams continue a three-game weekend set.

On the hill for Kansas City tonight will be Brian Bannister, a righty who is 7-6 with a 5.44 ERA. Bannister has allowed 112 hits through 96 innings and boasts a modest strikeout total of 58. On Monday, he did not figure in the decision of a game against Seattle in which he allowed four earned runs on six hits in seven innings.

Bannister is 1-2 with a lofty 9.69 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this season, and 4-6 with a 7.97 ERA in his career versus Chicago.

Gavin Floyd is the scheduled pitcher for Chicago tonight and is coming off one of his best performances of the season. On Monday, Floyd allowed just one earned run on five hits in seven standout innings against the Angels. He is now 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA in his last three starts, but his 4-7 overall record still leaves much to be desired.

Floyd is 1-2 with a 6.16 ERA against the Royals this season, having surrendered 30 hits in 19 innings in three starts. The righty is just 2-7 lifetime against Kansas City.

On Friday, Mark Buehrle spun seven scoreless frames and A.J. Pierzynski hit two home runs and drove in a season-high four runs to power the White Sox to an 8-2 victory over Kansas City in the opener of this set.

Buehrle (8-7) allowed six hits, while walking three and striking out a pair to lead Chicago to its sixth consecutive win.

"We've been pitching well," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "All five [of our starters] give our team a chance to win."

Andruw Jones had three hits and drove in two runs and Paul Konerko had a pair of hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the White Sox, who have won 12 of their last 13 home games.

Bruce Chen (5-3) suffered the loss for Kansas City after yielding three runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings, while walking one and fanning one. The Royals, were denied their first four-game win streak of the season.

"Our club hasn't quit," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It was good that it wasn't a shutout."

Royals' outfielder Jose Guillen missed his second straight game due to a left quadriceps strain suffered in Tuesday's game in Seattle.

These teams have split 10 meetings so far this year, but Kansas City lost two of three at Chicago from May 3-5.