White Sox Open Series With Royals
The Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals meet for a quick two-game series after both clubs had a very weekend at the plate.
Kansas City (3-1) lost its season opener against the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Thursday, but rallied to capture the four-game series thanks to timely hitting.
The Royals closed the weekend with a 12-9, 13-inning win Sunday. Matt Treanor hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 13th and rookie Tim Collins pitched three innings of two-hit relief for his first major league victory.
It capped a dramatic opening weekend for Kansas City. On Friday, Kila Ka'aihue hit a game-winning homer in the ninth. The next day, Chris Getz drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth.
"We've been playing some exciting baseball," manager Ned Yost told the Royals' official website. "I'm definitely going to need an off-day after that game, for sure."
The Royals have now won their opening series in three of the last four seasons, though it has yet to mean much. Kansas City hasn't had a winning season since 2003.
While the Royals did their damage late, the White Sox (2-1) jumped in front early against Cleveland, scoring 20 of their 24 runs in the first four innings. After two big games, their offense went quiet in a 7-1 loss to the Indians on Sunday, even hitting into a triple play in the fourth inning.
"The game changed with the bunt," manager Ozzie Guillen said of the triple play. "It totally changed. If we put the ball down with the bunt, maybe it's a different ballgame."
Chicago led 1-0 after five innings, but John Danks gave up a two-run homer in the sixth and the bullpen allowed five runs over the final two innings. White Sox relievers allowed 11 runs and 16 hits in eight innings over the weekend.
The White Sox are hoping Gavin Floyd can reverse his April struggles when he makes his season debut Tuesday.
Floyd went 10-13 with a 4.08 ERA in 2010, but continued his career-long struggles in April, going 1-2 with a 6.49 ERA. The right-hander is 8-8 with a 6.30 ERA in 24 career April appearances.
He is 3-7 with a 4.79 lifetime ERA against the Royals.
Alex Gordon, who went 4 for 6 with four runs scored Sunday, is 4 for 12 with a home run against Floyd.
Kansas City will hand the ball to Luke Hochevar (0-1, 4.76 ERA), who gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.
The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA in his career against the White Sox.
Chicago slugger Carlos Quentin, who earned AL player of the week honors after going 6 for 11 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBIs against the Indians, is 2 for 8 in his career versus Hochevar.
Chicago won the season series against Kansas City 10-8 last year, but lost six of nine at Kauffman Stadium.
Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. STATS LLC and The Associated Press contributed to this article. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
