Duffy pitches Royals past White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Left-hander Danny Duffy figures to make one more start for the Kansas City Royals before the regular season ends.

His latest effort helped sustain the Royals' faint aspirations to go beyond that and return to the postseason for the first time since 2015.

Duffy pitched six-plus strong innings to finally solve a familiar foe, helping the Royals to an 8-2 win against the Chicago White Sox and keep Kansas City's American League wild-card hopes alive.

Kansas City (76-78) remained 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second AL wild-card spot while pulling even with Anaheim. Texas, playing late at Oakland, was one-half game ahead of the Royals when Saturday's game ended.

"Just keep pushing," Duffy said. "I mean, there's crazier things that have happened in this game. We want to continue to try to finish strong and worry about next year when next year comes."

Duffy pitched into the seventh inning, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks. He was 0-3 with a 9.56 ERA in three earlier starts against the White Sox this season, yielding at least five runs each time.

"Historically, I've done well here," Duffy said. "This has been a rough year for me. They've seen me, so they're incredibly tough to punch out and they're hard to finish off, so hats off to them. Tonight, we were able to make some pitches in some tough spots, and my changeup was really working for me tonight, and everything felt great. I just felt like I was in rhythm, big time."

Whit Merrifield smacked a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning to break things open for Kansas City. The White Sox (62-92) struggled to mount an attack after Jose Abreu hit an RBI single against Duffy (9-9) in the first inning. Abreu added a run-scoring groundout in the seventh for his club-leading 100th RBI. Abreu joined Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols as the only players with at least 25 home runs and 100 RBIs in their first four major league seasons.

Speaking through a team translator, Abreu praised the White Sox front office, teammates and fans for their support.

"This organization was the one that made possible my mom's dream for me to play in the majors," Abreu said.

White Sox right-hander Dylan Covey (0-7) retired the first seven Royals he faced before Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar singled with one out in the third inning. Greater trouble surfaced one inning later as the Royals erased an early one-run deficit with a two-out rally in the fourth.

Salvador Perez doubled to score Eric Hosmer from first base before Perez scored on a Mike Moustakas single. Alex Gordon added to the lead in the fifth, hitting an opposite-field, solo home run against Covey with one out.

Covey made his 17th career major league appearance and 11th start, all this season. Covey spaced three runs, five hits, three strikeouts and one walk in six innings, his longest outing since also working six innings in a May 18 no-decision at Seattle.

"That was, I think, my fourth start against (the Royals)," Covey said. "I'm familiar with their hitters a little bit. I feel like the more a pitcher faces a hitter, the pitcher gets the advantage a little bit, more so than the hitter might."

Hosmer, Perez, Gordon and Brandon Moss had two hits apiece for the Royals. Perez doubled twice and had two RBI.

Matt Davidson had two hits for the White Sox and their only extra-base hit, a double.

The White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, but left-hander Scott Alexander pitched out of the jam, sandwiching two strikeouts around the Abreu groundout.

"That was huge for us," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "All our relievers pitched well tonight."

Game time temperature was 91 degrees, but several players, including Escobar, seemingly felt right at home.

Heat and humidity are the norm in his native Venezuela this time of year.

"It's just like this; 85, 90 (degrees)," Escobar said.

The White Sox fell to 10-12 in September and are aiming to finish a rebuilding season with a winning record in the final month. Manager Rick Renteria lauded a consistent effort and clubhouse vibe among players, key elements he feels have buoyed the White Sox throughout 2017.

NOTES: Royals C Salvador Perez returned to the lineup after leaving Friday's game as a precautionary measure when he was hit by a foul tip. "It was more his neck got a little sore last night, a little stiff," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But he's fine." ... White Sox SS Tim Anderson extended his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games when he singled to lead off the fourth inning. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon, out for the remainder of the season with an injured throwing shoulder, said the club still is working to determine the extent of his injury. Rodon said he could not answer whether offseason shoulder surgery could be a possibility.

Indians defeat White Sox for record 15th straight win

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- As dominant of a pitcher as Corey Kluber may be, when the Cleveland Indians ace is provided with an early dose of offense, he becomes even more dangerous.

And at a time when the Indians already seem untouchable, lights-out pitching and timely hitting are proving to be a winning combination.

Kluber struck out 13, and Erik Gonzalez hit two of Cleveland's five homers as the Indians won a franchise-record 15th straight game, beating the Chicago White Sox 11-2 on Thursday night.

The Indians won 14 straight last season, and they became the first team since the 1935-36 Chicago Cubs to win 14 or more consecutive games in back-to-back seasons.

Edwin Encarnacion, Francisco Lindor and Greg Allen also went deep for the Indians.

Kluber (15-4) cruised after the Indians jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and kept adding to it with the collection of home runs.

"When you've got a guy like Kluber on the mound and you score early, man, it sure makes you feel good," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

As good as Francona may have felt about Thursday's team record-setting result that comes a season after the Indians won an American League pennant, he and his team aren't getting too wrapped up with such things.

"One game at a time," Kluber said of the Indians' approach. "It sounds boring, but that's what we're doing -- coming to the field every day prepared to win that day's ballgame."

Kluber, who struck out at least 10 for the 14th time this season, allowed three hits and two runs while walking one over seven innings. He retired 20 of the final 22 hitters he faced.

Gonzalez, who homered in the third and ninth innings, drove in four runs. Allen hit his first career home run as part of a three-run seventh inning. Lindor went 3-for-6 with three runs and finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle.

It was more than enough for Kluber, who recovered after giving up a pair of solo home runs in the first inning.

"(It was just about) adjusting to what their approach was," Kluber said. "I just kind of felt like they were swinging at every pitch hoping it was going to be a fastball, but when we went to more off-speed, it took them awhile to make the adjustment."

The Indians jumped on White Sox emergency starter Mike Pelfrey (3-11) for four first-inning runs. After Lindor's leadoff triple, Austin Jackson followed with an RBI double. Pelfrey then walked Yandy Diaz before Encarnacion hit a three-run home run to stake Cleveland to a 4-0 lead.

Lindor led off the second inning with a solo home run before Gonzalez drilled a two-run homer off Pelfrey in the third inning to extend the lead to 7-2.

Pelfrey, who started after left-hander Carlos Rodon was forced to miss his scheduled start with shoulder stiffness, gave up seven runs and eight hits over four innings. Pelfrey struck out four and walked three.

Rodon said after the game that his shoulder didn't feel right while he was warming up. He felt tightness and knew he couldn't go.

That forced manager Rick Renteria's hand.

"You hate to use a guy and wear him out, but (Pelfrey) was going to eat up as many pitches as he could, hold as many innings as he could get through," Renteria said.

The White Sox got on the board in the first inning when Yolmer Sanchez and Jose Abreu each both hit solo home runs. But it was far from being enough to slow down the Indians, who will look to extend their winning streak on Friday at home against the Baltimore Orioles after going 11-0 on the road trip that concluded Thursday night.

"It's lots of fun," Lindor said. "We've won lots of game because everybody is contributing and everybody is doing what they're supposed to do. The whole team is having fun -- it's not just one player."

NOTES: Indians 3B Yandy Diaz left the game due to a left elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch. ... Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez missed the game with a sore right wrist. Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez could miss a couple of games. ... RHP Jake Petricka was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. Manager Rick Renteria said he was uncertain whether Petricka, who is 1-1 with a 7.01 ERA in 27 appearances, would return this season. ... White Sox OF Willy Garcia was sent on a rehabilitation assignment to Class A Kannapolis. Garcia has been on the DL since Aug. 1 after sustaining a concussion following a collision with teammate Yoan Moncada.

Indians go for team-record 15th straight win

Stats, LLC

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Corey Kluber continues to demonstrate just why the Cleveland Indians have dominated opponents this season.

The Indians right-hander, who is 14-4, enters his Thursday start against the Chicago White Sox with an American League-leading 2.56 ERA and the league's lowest opponents' batting average (.194).

So he is just the guy to lead the Indians as they seek a franchise-record 15th consecutive victory in the series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Kluber also ranks in the top five in other pitching categories for the defending American League champions (83-56), who own the league's second-best record behind the Houston Astros.

"He's one of the best in the game, and it's nice when a guy reaches that point and continues to really get after it and work so he can even try and get better," Indians manager Terry Francona said earlier this summer. "We rely on him so much, and he knows that. It's nice to put his name in there every five days."

Kluber was named American League Pitcher of the Month for August after going 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA in six starts. He also has won seven of his last eight decisions, and he has won five consecutive decisions on the road dating back to a June 1 return from the disabled list.

The Indians matched their record 14-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory over the White Sox on Wednesday. They set the original record in 2016 en route to the American League pennant and a seven-game loss to the Chicago Cubs in the World Series.

The longest regular-season winning streak without a tie in major league history is 21, last achieved by the 1935 Chicago Cubs.

In 18 career appearances (17 starts) against the White Sox, Kluber is 8-4 with a 3.28 ERA. He has faced Chicago three times this season, going 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA, including a complete-game shutout on April 21 at Guaranteed Rate Field as he gave up just three hits, walked two and struck out nine.

The White Sox (54-84) will send left-hander Carlos Rodon (2-5, 4.15 ERA) out for his 13th start since returning from the 60-day disabled list on June 28. He had been sidelined due to left biceps bursitis.

Rodon had a no-decision in his last start on Saturday against Tampa Bay, giving up one run and two hits in four innings while striking out four.

Rodon is 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) against the Indians. He had a no-decision the last time he met Cleveland, on July 30, giving up one run and six hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Chicago won 3-1.

The White Sox see Rodon as a big piece of future rotations.

"I think he's got a quality arm that I believe, if he stays within himself, can be an impactful guy as part of the next group of pitchers that are joining us," manager Rick Renteria said.

While the series ends Thursday, the White Sox and Indians aren't through yet. They will meet again at Progressive Field to close the season, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

Chicago hosts the San Francisco Giants for a three-game interleague series that kicks off Friday. Cleveland returns home for a 10-game homestand, starting with a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles that also opens on Friday.

Indians extend win streak to 14 behind Carrasco 3-hitter

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Carlos Carrasco delivered a three-hitter as the Cleveland Indians claimed a landmark victory on Wednesday night.

The Indians tied a franchise record with their 14th consecutive victory, beating the Chicago White Sox 5-1 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Carrasco came within one out of a memorable shutout performance before giving up a two-out, ninth-inning home run to Adam Engel.

However, Carrasco hardly disappointed with the body of work.

"Everything was good today ... fastball, curve, slider," he said. "But as I said before, I think it was more important that we won the game."

Carrasco (14-6) struck out nine, walked none and threw 97 pitches.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez was disappointed that the shutout slipped away.

"I wanted to call a shutout," he said, "but (Carrasco) was awesome tonight. They got two (early) base hits, but right after those two base hits, we got a double play. He made pitches when we needed to, and we got out of trouble."

Cleveland (83-56) improved to a season-high 27 games above .500 and remained 11 games ahead of the second-place Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.

"This shows what kind of team we are and how we're playing baseball," Perez said. "We're having fun out there and competing. It's fun when guys grind out at-bats, try to get on base and take advantage of the opportunities."

Chicago (54-84) dropped its third straight.

Tyler Naquin's fourth-inning sacrifice fly brought home Carlos Santana. In the eighth, Santana padded the lead with a two-run homer, his 23rd long ball of the season.

White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez (0-3) worked six innings, allowing one run, six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

"He did a great job today. The numbers looked good, they could have been even better," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "As well as Lopey threw well, the game just didn't look clean, and our guys know it."

The Indians collected eight hits, three from Santana, who also walked.

With Cleveland up 1-0, Francisco Lindor's bid to double the lead was denied in the seventh. A potential home run was grabbed over the top of the left field fence by Nicky Delmonico.

Santana greeted reliever Danny Farquhar with a towering two-run homer to right with no outs in the eighth inning, driving in Edwin Encarnacion a 3-0 lead.

Farquhar went on to load the bases -- still with no outs -- for Perez, who reached based on an error while grounding into a fielder's choice. Greg Allen scored from third for a 4-0 lead.

Farquhar departed for right-hander Dylan Covey, who gave up a final run as Allen grounded into a ninth-inning fielder's choice to score Jose Ramirez.

Cleveland came up short on two early scoring opportunities.

The Indians had Lonnie Chisenhall at third with one out in the first but couldn't bring him home.

In the second, Naquin doubled up the middle with one out, moving Yandy Diaz to third. But Perez struck out looking and Lindor popped out along the third base line.

Santana led off the Indians' fourth with a single to center, reached second on a Diaz base hit and moved to third on a wild pitch -- all with no outs. This time, the Indians produced a run as Naquin's sacrifice to left brought Santana home for a 1-0 lead.

Carrasco, meanwhile, kept the White Sox off the bases, retiring the first 12 batters he faced and striking out the side in the fourth.

Carrasco gave up a base hit up the middle to Avisail Garcia to open the fifth, but Garcia was snuffed out on a subsequent double-play grounder by Delmonico.

"There are games -- not a ton -- over the course of a year when everything falls into place," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Tonight, everything was working for (Carrasco)."

Cleveland set a team record for consecutive victories in 2016, winning 14 straight between June 17 and July 1.

NOTES: The Indians are an major-league-best 35-11 since July 21 and 10-0 on their road trip that ends Thursday in Chicago. ... Cleveland will open a 10-game homestead on Friday, starting with a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. ... The Indians send RHP Corey Kluber (14-4, 2.56 ERA) against White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon (2-5, 4.15) on Thursday in the teams' final meeting of the season. ... RHP Michael Kopech, among top prospects in the White Sox organization, visited Guaranteed Rate Field. "I brought my glove if they need me," he said. ... Before the game, the White Sox reinstated INF/OF Nicky Delmonico (sprained right wrist) from the 10-day disabled list.

Holland pitches White Sox to victory over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Even when he was off his game, Chicago White Sox left-hander Derek Holland knew he wasn't that far away from where he wanted to be.

Despite his struggles, Holland attempted to remain positive, believing that if he kept chipping away, everything would come together at some point.

On Thursday night against the Minnesota Twins, everything finally clicked.

Holland allowed just one run over six innings, and the White Sox gave him with plenty of offensive support in a 5-1 victory over the Twins.

"I didn't let (the struggles) affect me -- obviously, I was frustrated, but the main thing was, I kept plugging away," said Holland, who allowed three hits, walked four and struck out five. "It can be a lonely place when you're struggling like that, but the main thing is you've got to stay positive no matter what."

Yolmer Sanchez homered and Kevan Smith had an RBI double for the White Sox, who also capitalized on some sloppy play by the Twins to build their lead and finish off the five-game series with back-to-back victories.

Chicago took three of five against Minnesota.

Holland (7-13) won for just the second time in his past 13 outings. He surrendered Minnesota's lone run on a Byron Buxton home run in the sixth inning.

The Twins put runners on second and third with one out in the ninth inning, but Juan Minaya pitched out of trouble to preserve the victory as the White Sox.

Minnesota heads to Toronto attempting to get things back on track after dropping the series to the last-place White Sox.

"Just not enough offense the last couple of nights," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "They outplayed us, we made mistakes, and they took advantage and we just couldn't get back in the game."

Jose Berrios (11-6) took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings. Berrios struck out nine and walked three while giving up only four hits. He was let down more than once by Minnesota's defense.

Sanchez gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with two outs in the second inning when he hit a solo shot for his seventh home run of the season.

The White Sox took advantage of two Twins errors to score three runs in the fourth inning and build a 4-0 lead.

After Yoan Moncada walked and stole second, the rookie second baseman scored when Nicky Delmonico reached on an error by first baseman Mitch Garver.

Smith and Sanchez followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases before Tim Anderson drove in Delmonico with a fielder's choice grounder. Smith scored on Berrios' wild pick-off attempt.

"Hopefully, there's a little lesson learned here -- you've got to have that intensity from the first inning," Molitor said. "We have to come out ready to play from the get-go."

The White Sox did just that, and once they built up the lead, Holland took over and finally put together the kind of start he has been looking for in a season full of frustrating disappointments.

The Thursday game marked the kind of turnaround Holland -- and the White Sox -- have been waiting for from the veteran lefty.

"He did a nice job keeping us in the ballgame," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He gave up a solo homer, but other than that, he had three walks, struck out two or three, induced a few double plays. Honestly, he seemed pretty much in control the whole ballgame, even though he worked in a little bit of traffic, got out of it. He looked a lot more comfortable out there today."

NOTES: Chicago RF Leury Garcia left the game in the third inning due to back stiffness. He is considered day-to-day. ... White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada exited the game with shin splints in his right leg, an ailment Moncada told reporters Wednesday he expected to linger the rest of the season. ... Twins C Jason Castro was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion after being hit by several foul balls on his catcher's mask Wednesday. Manager Paul Molitor said backup Chris Gimenez and rookie Mitch Garver would split the catching duties until Castro returns. OF Zack Granite was called from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot. ... White Sox RF Avisail Garcia missed Thursday's game after his wife gave birth to their second child earlier in the day. Manager Rick Renteria said Garcia should be available to play o

Anderson's walk-off single lifts White Sox over Twins

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Rick Renteria said he was pulling for just this kind of outcome Wednesday night.

With the Chicago White Sox locked in a 3-3 tie with the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning, Tim Anderson lined a single to left to score Avisail Garcia with the winning run for a 4-3 walk-off victory.

"It's a confidence builder when you get a big hit," said Renteria, the White Sox manager. "We were sitting in there with the last at-bat going and we really wanted this for Timmy. It's a big situation, see how he does and fortunately he was able to get it through the infield."

Anderson sent a 1-0 pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-2) with one out in the ninth inning for his first career game-ending hit.

Right-handed reliever Danny Farquhar (3-2) worked a scoreless inning for the win.

Garcia led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to right and reached second on Kevan Smith's sacrifice bunt. An intentional walk to Yolmer Sanchez set the stage for Anderson.

Chicago (49-76) snapped a two-game slide and Minnesota (65-61) saw its two-game winning streak end.

Twins starter Ervin Santana allowed two runs (one earned), scattered three hits and a walk and struck out eight in seven innings.

He almost went eight innings.

"My gut told me after the tough seventh, pitching out of a jam, we could have sent him back out for the eighth," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "I just thought after the seventh, that was a good job getting out of that. I just wanted to turn it over, six outs to go."

The White Sox's James Shields yielded three runs, three hits and two walks while striking out six in six innings.

"He's pitched really, really well," Renteria said. "His ability to share things with the other (younger) guys is really important. It's kind of a two-pronged benefit to us at this particular time and we're going to take advantage of it."

Minnesota snapped a 1-1 tie with two runs in the sixth.

Brian Dozier walked, reached third on Joe Mauer's base hit to right and scored on Jorge Polanco's single to left.

With runners at second and third, a Shields wild pitch got past Smith at the plate and Mauer sprinted home for a 3-1 lead. Polanco reached third on the same play, but Shields struck out Byron Buxton to end the threat.

Leury Garcia launched a towering solo home run to right -- his ninth homer of the season -- to trim the deficit to 3-2 with one out in the White Sox sixth.

Twins left-hander Taylor Rogers entered in relief in the eighth and gave up back-to-back doubles, including a run-scoring two-base hit by Yoan Moncada that drove in Garcia for a 3-3 tie with one out.

"He got the first out, got 0-2 on the next guy, but 0-2 doubles hurt," Molitor said. "Then we got ahead of Moncada there, but he got enough for it to get down the line."

Santana struck out five of the first eight batters he faced and didn't give up a hit until Alen Hanson's two-out triple down the right field line in the third inning. The White Sox left fielder then scored on a throwing error by Polanco.

Shields, meanwhile, retired 11 straight batters and struck out four while no balls left the infield.

That sequence ended when Polanco made up for his earlier mistake and lined a 1-1 pitch to right for his seventh homer of the season. The two-out shot forced a 1-1 tie and marked the fourth consecutive game he hit a home run.

NOTES: The Twins called up RHP John Curtis from Triple-A Rochester and designated RHP Tim Melville (0-1) for assignment. ... Minnesota RHP Jose Berrios (11-5, 3.99 ERA) opposes White Sox LHP Derek Holland (6-13, 6.07) on Thursday in the finale of the five-game series. The series is tied 2-2. ... Chicago sent 3B Matt Davidson to Triple-A Charlotte on an rehab assignment. He went on the disabled list Aug. 8 (retroactive to Aug. 4) with a right wrist contusion. ... Chicago's Alen Hanson played left field Wednesday. He also has played right and center field, second and third base, shortstop and served as designated hitter this season. ... The teams meet for the final time this season Aug. 29-31 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Twins use three homers to down White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Kyle Gibson worked his way out of two perilous jams while long balls from his teammates provided relief Tuesday night.

The Minnesota Twins right-hander faced bases loaded with one out in the second inning and none in the third inning but escaped each time in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

"A lot of danger, really," said Gibson (7-10) who went on to work seven innings. "It doesn't really matter what team it is, it was a tough spot. But in that situation, you got to execute pitches and go one out at a time."

The Twins shrugged off an early deficit and hit three home runs on the way the victory.

Jorge Polanco, Kennys Vargas and Eddie Rosario each homered against White Sox rookie right-hander Lucas Giolito, called up Tuesday from Triple-A Charlotte for his Chicago debut.

The White Sox pushed across a first-inning run but came up empty on two early bases-loaded scoring opportunities and were shut out the rest of the way.

Gibson allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked just one for his first victory since beating the Detroit Tigers on July 22.

Giolito (0-1) worked six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out three and walked none while throwing 99 pitches.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria was pleased with the outing even as he wished his team had scored more for Giolito.

"I thought it was very positive," he said. "Lucas threw the ball very, very well. Fastball was very good, he was using his breaking ball ... He looked very, very good to me."

The victory was the second straight and sixth in seven games for the Twins (65-60), who are 13-4 in their past 17 games.

Chicago (48-76) dropped its second straight and is 3-8 in its last 11

Twins relievers Trevor Hildenberger and Matt Belisle worked scoreless eighth and ninth innings. Belisle gave up a hit but posted his fourth save.

Rosario clubbed his 18th homer of the season with one out in the sixth. His two-run shot to left scored Joe Mauer and gave Minnesota a 4-1 lead.

"Once Rosie (Eddie Rosario) hit that big homer it really allowed me to settle in a little bit and keep attacking," Gibson said.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as rookie Yoan Moncada doubled to right with one out, reached third on Jose Abreu's lineout and scored on Gibson's wild pitch with Nicky Delmonico at the plate.

Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Adam Engel struck out swinging and Leury Garcia grounded to second.

Moncada was perched at third with no outs in the third as the White Sox loaded the bases again before Gibson struck Avisail Garcia, Yolmer Sanchez and Tim Anderson to escape the threat.

"We had two innings where we had a great opportunity to open up that ballgame and maybe the outcome would have been a little different and it would have looked a little different for (Giolito)," Renteria said.

The Twins evened matters in the fourth on Polanco's leadoff home run to center, his sixth of the season.

In the fifth inning, Vargas belted an 0-2 pitch from Giolito for his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center that gave the Twins a 2-1 lead.

NOTES: Twins manager Paul Molitor, who celebrated his 61st birthday, appeared in 18 games on that date during his playing career, batting .264. ... Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has eight doubles, 11 home runs, 20 RBIs and 19 runs in his past 24 games against Chicago. ... The Twins send RHP Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.33 ERA) against White Sox RHP James Shields (2-4, 5.72) on Wednesday. ... The White Sox recalled RHP Lucas Giolito from Triple-A Charlotte for the start. The No. 6 prospect in the organization, Giolito was acquired in December from the Nationals and was 6-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 24 Charlotte starts. ... The rare five-game series (which included a makeup game as part of the Monday doubleheader) concludes Thursday.

Delmonico's 2 HRs power White Sox past Rangers

(TSX / STATS) -- ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox are going nowhere in 2017, but they showed Friday night that the future is bright.

Hot-hitting rookie Nicky Delmonico hit two homers and drove in three as the White Sox snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over Texas.

Delmonico's inside-the-park homer in the eighth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and helped make a winner out of Gregory Infante and set up Juan Minaya for a save. The win was the first in the majors for Infante (1-1) and the save was the first in Minaya's career.

Delmonico's heroics also helped end a four-game winning streak for the Rangers.

Delmonico opened the eighth by lining a Ricky Rodriguez (0-1) pitch deep to right. Texas right fielder Nomar Mazara crashed into the wall and stayed down, allowing Delmonico to scoot home with the first inside-the-park homer for a Chicago player since Brett Lawrie on June 26, 2016.

It also capped a night in which he went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. He now has five homers in his first 15 games and has reached base safely in 14 of those. He already has two two-homer games, but the inside-the-parker goes to the top of the list.

"I felt like I ran out of gas right before third, but luckily I was able to score," said Delmonico, who now has four homers in his last 11 plate appearances. "I thought maybe there was a chance to get out, but luckily I beat it. In Triple-A this year I hit one. This is pretty special."

Special is the best way to describe the start for Delmonico's career.

"He's going to have an opportunity to do very well," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "His composure, his approach, his demeanor is a big part of that. I think he's a baseball player. He's been around the block, grinding out, trying to get here. I think he appreciates the opportunity he's getting. He just goes out and plays the game."

The Rangers caught a break on the homer, too. Mazara stayed down and was looked at by the team trainers after hyperextending his left knee. He remained in the game and was examined by team doctor Keith Meister after, with no structural damage found.

""I'm okay," said Mazara, who extended his hitting streak to six by going 1-for-2 with two walks. "When I jumped and got down my leg locked a little bit and I felt something I've never felt before. And then when I got up I got scared. Thank God everything's fine. I knew right away it was my knee, the outside part. I didn't want to get up because it was hurting at the time. Then I sat down and it was kind of calming down."

Infante retired all five batters he faced, striking out one. Minaya worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to preserve the win.

The White Sox took an early 1-0 lead off Texas starter Andrew Cashner when Leury Garcia scored on an error. Chicago starter James Shields made that run stand up until Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer into the Texas bullpen in the fourth inning.

The White Sox regained the lead in the sixth when Delmonico ripped a Cashner pitch to right for a two-run homer to put Chicago up 3-2.

Texas tied the score in the bottom of the seventh on a Delino DeShields grounder. Shields was charged with two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Cashner had his streak of quality starts end at six, allowing three runs (two earned) in 5 2/3 innings.

"I felt all right, not my best, but I found a way to grind through and give us a chance to win," Cashner said. "Everything I've been through in my career I kind of have an idea of what I need to do to get through a game without having my best stuff. My sinker was kind of hit and me. Changeup was decent and my curveball was all right. It was more working both sides of the plate with a fastball and keeping them off balance."

Tim Anderson had three of the nine Chicago hits and Jose Abreu went 2-for-5.

NOTES: Chicago will recall RHP Lucas Giolito from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday to start one of the doubleheader games against Minnesota. He is 6-10 with a 4.48 ERA for Charlotte. ... Chicago OF Avisail Garcia was out of the lineup again because of sore left wrist. He could play Saturday. ... Texas 3B Adrian Beltre moved into a tie for 27th on the career hit list with his single in the sixth inning. He's tied with Rafael Palmeiro with 3,020 hits.

Red-hot Rangers host weary White Sox

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(TSX / STATS) -- ARLINGTON, Texas -- Considering the Chicago White Sox just finished getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the best team in baseball, a four-game set against the Texas Rangers starting Thursday will represent a reprieve.

Right? Maybe not.

The Rangers are one of the hottest teams in the American League, winners of six of their past seven games.

In a three-game sweep of the Tigers, Texas swamped Detroit with 28 runs on 39 hits and 55 baserunners, including 25 baserunners in a 12-6 victory Wednesday.

Welcome to Texas, Chicago.

The White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will meet fellow right-hander Tyson Ross (3-2, 7.11) in the series opener.

"It'd be tough to point to just one thing," Texas manager Jeff Banister said of the key to the team's hot streak. "It's been the number of baserunners we continue to have. The double-digit baserunners have allowed us to do some things that we're used to doing: run the bases, steal bases, create, and obviously the home run shows up for us in certain situations.

"But I think it's the combination of all things. The defense we've played, the pitching we've gotten, and the offense has really showed up for us."

The Rangers (59-60) are back within a game of .500 and two games behind the second American League wild-card position with 43 games to play. Texas is trying to extend a three-game winning streak while keeping their longshot playoff hopes alive.

The White Sox (45-72) are 4-10 in August, and they have lost four straight.

"We got to put this behind us as quickly as possible because tomorrow is a new day," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said after his team blew a ninth-inning lead to fall 5-4 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.

Lopez, 23, will be making his second start of the season. He allowed two runs and struck out six over six innings in his season debut, a no-decision against the Kansas City Royals on Friday. Thursday will mark his first career start against Texas.

Ross comes in following a victory in his most recent start. The 30-year-old allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings in an 8-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday. Ross has worked fewer than six innings in seven of his eight starts this year.

He is 3-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three career starts and one relief appearance against Chicago.

The White Sox showed some pop with four homers in the finale against the Dodgers, including two from rookie Nicky Delmonico. Leury Garcia hit the first pitch of the game out of the park, just as teammate Tim Anderson did the day before. That marked the first time in franchise history the White Sox homered in consecutive games on the first pitch.

"We lost a (tough) game in the ninth," Garcia said. "We're still working and playing hard."

Anderson has five home runs, four doubles, a triple and 11 RBIs in his past 13 games.

Fatigue might be an issue for Chicago, which wasn't expected to get into Texas until early Thursday morning after playing the Dodgers late on the West Coast.

Nomar Mazara, Elvis Andrus and Joey Gallo are all going well for the Rangers -- and all three homered Wednesday, as did Adrian Beltre.

Mazara has three three-hit games in his past seven outings, and he is batting .481 during that span. The 22-year-old has 20 RBIs in his past 18 games.

Andrus' career year now includes a torrid stretch in which he is hitting .359 with 11 doubles, five home runs and 14 RBIs over his past 24 games.

Gallo, who is tied for second in the AL with 35 homers, has 10 long balls in August and 14 since the All-Star break.

"I think everybody's doing their job, we're having really good at-bats, nobody's taking anything for granted, and no matter if it's two outs, we still believe we can have a rally and score runs," Andrus said. "That's our DNA that we need to keep the rest of the season, and hopefully the beginning of something good."

The series will also feature a notable homecoming.

White Sox lefty Derek Holland, who pitched eight seasons and on two World Series teams with the Rangers, returns to face his former team Saturday.

LEADING OFF: Indians try to finish up 10-0 at Target Field

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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SWEPT UP

The Cleveland Indians try to finish a season sweep at Target Field when play a day-night doubleheader against the Twins. The AL Central leaders are 8-0 at Minnesota this year - but just 1-5 vs. the Twins at home. The teams were rained out Wednesday, forcing the split twinbill. Cleveland has won five in a row overall.

Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco (11-5, 3.83 ERA) faces Kyle Gibson (6-9, 6.02) in the opener. In the nightcap, Cleveland is calling up lefty Ryan Merritt (0-0, 3.60) to oppose Aaron Slegers in his major league debut.

STARTING OUT

Rookie right-hander Reynaldo Lopez aims for his first victory with the White Sox when he starts at Dodger Stadium. Lopez was 5-3 with Washington last year, then was traded to Chicago in a package for outfielder Adam Eaton. The hard-throwing 23-year-old got a no-decision last week in his first start for the White Sox, going six good innings against Kansas City.

TRY AGAIN

Jameson Taillon (7-5) gets the start as Pittsburgh begins a four-game series against St. Louis at PNC Park in a matchup of playoff contenders. He is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three career starts vs. the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright starts for St. Louis.

CHECK HIM

Nationals manager Dusty Baker says the team is evaluating righty reliever Ryan Madson's finger injury, which originally was believed to be a blister. Madson last pitched Saturday for the NL East leaders.

Dodgers pull out another one vs. White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers did it again.

Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers got to the Chicago White Sox bullpen. Facing right-handed reliever Jake Petricka with one out, Yasiel Puig hit a two-run, walk-off double as the Dodgers scored a 5-4 comeback victory in front of a sellout crowd Wednesday.

Puig's teammates mobbed him at second base, and the Dodgers celebrated a 38th comeback win.

"We're down by two. Two runs is not enough (to worry)," Los Angeles left fielder Enrique Hernandez said. "I don't think there's a big enough lead right now to be like, 'Oh, the Dodgers are out of a game,' especially late innings. All I can say is it's an everyday thing now."

Chicago led 4-2 entering the ninth. Reliever Gregory Infante recorded the first out, then was replaced by Aaron Bummer. Pinch hitter Cody Bellinger singled, and the White Sox changed pitchers again, bringing in Petricka (1-1).

Logan Forsythe's double to left scored Bellinger, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Austin Barnes' single put runners at the corners for Puig, who hit a 3-2 pitch to left-center field, ending the game.

The much-anticipated Yu Darvish debut as a Dodger at Dodger Stadium was unspectacular. He left the game after six innings as a precautionary measure due to back tightness.

He wasn't involved in the decision and watched in awe with how the Dodgers (85-34) pulled off another win -- on his 31st birthday.

"When (Darvish) left the game, the manager told him not to worry," Puig said through an interpreter. "What better gift on his birthday than the Dodgers winning."

After the game, Darvish simply tweeted: "OMG."

The White Sox hit four solo home runs, including two from rookie Nicky Delmonico, but it wasn't enough. One day earlier, Petricka hit Joc Pederson with the bases loaded to bring in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Los Angeles' eventual 6-1 victory.

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon pitched well in holding the Dodgers to two runs in 7 1/3 innings Wednesday. He allowed five hits and four walks while striking out four.

Darvish gave up three runs, all on solo homers, in six innings. He allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out only two. Two of the home runs were leadoff shots.

He went out to the mound to pitch the seventh but was met by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer. Darvish left the game, citing the back issue that he said began in his previous start at Arizona.

"I was going to go out, obviously, but in between innings I talked to (Clayton) Kershaw a little bit," Darvish said through an interpreter. "He asked me how I felt, and I told him there was something with my back. He said, 'We need you really bad in six weeks. That's when we need you the most.' That's what happened."

Leury Garcia homered on the first pitch of the game from Darvish for his first career leadoff home run. On Tuesday, Tim Anderson hit Alex Wood's first pitch for a home run.

"When I got here and I saw the lineup, I (went) straight to T.A. and said, 'The first pitch I'm going to swing at it. I want to be like you,'" Garcia said. "And it happened."

It was the first time in franchise history the White Sox homered in consecutive games on the first pitch.

In the bottom of the first, Forsythe tied the game when he scored on a wild pitch by Rodon. Even so, Rodon was effective with his changeup.

"That's a good lineup," Rodon said. "They know how to win. We're still learning. It's a learning day today. We'll get them next time."

Darvish gave up his second home run when Delmonico, batting cleanup, went deep to right in the fourth. Delmonico extended his hitting streak to 11 games and has reached base safely in all 13 career games. He added another home run in the eighth on a first-pitch offering from reliever Tony Watson.

Hernandez led off the fourth inning with a home run off Rodon to left-center field, tying the game at 2. Hernandez earned himself a spot in the lineup based on his power against Rodon. He was 2-for-2 with two home runs against the White Sox in Chicago earlier this season. He made it three home runs in his first four at-bats against Rodon.

Jose Abreu homered in the sixth inning for a 3-2 White Sox lead.

Dodgers reliever Ross Stripling (2-4) pitched one scoreless inning for the win.

NOTES: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (back) threw a 38-pitch, two-inning simulated game Wednesday. He next is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game in five days or go on a rehab assignment ... White Sox manager Rick Renteria confirmed he was given a World Series ring by Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer in July at Wrigley Field. Renteria managed the Cubs in 2014, but the team went 73-89 and he was fired. ... Chicago INF Tim Anderson has three leadoff home runs this year, including one Tuesday, but he was moved to eighth in the order because of matchups, according to Renteria. Anderson has five home runs and 11 RBIs in his past 12 games ... Dodgers INF/OF Rob Segedin was back in the lineup at first base, and he went 0-for-3 in his first game since April 18. He had been out due to a toe strain and wrist surgery.

Dodgers' Darvish pitches for home crowd vs. White Sox

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(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- What a day Wednesday is expected to be for Yu Darvish.

The right-handed pitcher, acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deadline deal from the Texas Rangers last month, will make his home debut at Dodger Stadium. It also is his 31st birthday.

That's a lot of emotion.

Darvish has pitched well for the Dodgers in his two road starts, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA. He will face the White Sox to finish the two-game series at Dodger Stadium after Los Angeles rallied for a 6-1 win Tuesday.

"I don't remember facing him this year, but we have faced him," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Obviously, a top-notch right-hander with about 30 billion types of pitches. We'll try to see what we can do with him. We'll try to eliminate some of them and see if we can get something we can handle and try to grind him out. He's an excellent pitcher."

Darvish is 1-1 with a 5.12 ERA in three career starts against Chicago, but he has not faced the White Sox since 2013.

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-4, 4.24 ERA) will oppose Darvish. Rodon's only career start against the Dodgers came this year, when he gave up five runs on seven hits (including four homers) in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss on July 19.

Rodon, 24, is following teammate Miguel Gonzalez, who pitched a one-run gem through six innings Monday. However, the White Sox's bullpen problems continued and couldn't get a win for Gonzalez, who grew up going to Dodgers games. The game was tied game through seven innings, but the White Sox allowed a five-run eighth.

"We tried to minimize damage as much as we could," Renteria said. "Some of our guys did a nice job of doing that, keeping us in the ballgame. It was a very good ballgame going into the seventh or the eighth. We just fell short."

The White Sox (45-71) are trying to reverse their fortunes against the team with the best record in baseball.

The Dodgers (84-34) moved 50 games above .500 with their Tuesday win, and now they unveil Darvish to the home crowd.

"I'm (looking forward to it) with much anticipation," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I try to downplay it a little bit to Yu, making his Dodger debut at home. It's a sellout crowd. There's going to be a lot of energy. I know he's excited about it. The radar gun is going to be lighting up (Wednesday).

"We expect him to go out there and compete and make pitches. He's been on the big stage. For him and for his teammates, coaches, we're excited for him to make that Dodger debut at home."

The game was not sold out as of Tuesday evening.

One play Darvish will need to slow is Tim Anderson. The Chicago shortstop hit a home run on the first pitch of the Tuesday game, and he has five of the White Sox's 11 home runs in August. He has hit four home runs in the past six games.

After the Wednesday game, the White Sox travel to Texas for a four-game series. The Dodgers, who have just eight home games this month, head on the road again as well as they fly to Detroit on Thursday. They will begin a three-game series against the Tigers in which Adrian Gonzalez (herniated lumbar disk) will return from the disabled list and play in at least one game. He last appeared for Los Angeles on June 11.

Dodgers use five-run eighth to beat Whie Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- Joc Pederson is in a hitting slump, but he won Tuesday's game for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the batter's box in a more unconventional way.

With the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a tie game against the Chicago White Sox, Pederson got hit by a pitch in the leg courtesy of reliever Jake Petricka to knock in the go-ahead run.

That led the Dodgers to a 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Los Angeles used a five-run eighth inning to turn a tight game into a rout. After Pederson was plunked with the bases loaded, pinch hitter Austin Barnes delivered a two-run single, as did Corey Seager.

After the game, closer Kenley Jansen jokingly said to Pederson in the clubhouse: "Hey, Joc, that was really big. Way to finally come through."

The Dodgers, a major-league-best 84-34, moved to 50 games above .500 for the first time since 1953. This was their 37th comeback victory.

"When you look at the win-loss, it's remarkable," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "We're going to celebrate tonight, like we do after we win, but we will refocus and it will be fun having Yu (Darvish) on the mound (Wednesday) making his home debut.

"Fifty games over .500 is kind of unchartered territory. We're playing good baseball."

The White Sox's season is completely opposite, and the bullpen woes continued for Chicago (45-71).

"The hit-by-pitch obviously didn't do us any favors," Petricka said. "Dug a little hole myself, and they just found some holes ... It's just next batter. I felt like I kept good focus. It was one pitch yanked a little too much and caught his hip."

Chicago's Tim Anderson continued his hot hitting, belting a home run to left field on the first pitch of the game. It was the fourth career leadoff home run for Anderson, who has four home runs and eight RBIs in his past seven games.

Dodgers starter Alex Wood gave up the solo shot, then was masterful. In the sixth, with a runner on third and two outs, Wood got pinch hitter Alen Hanson out on a called third strike. The lefty threw a big fist-pump after keeping the game tied at 1.

Wood allowed one run on six hits and no walks in seven innings while striking out six. His lone mistake was Anderson's home run, the first of his 79 pitches. He did not get a decision, though, failing in a bid to improve to 15-1.

"He just jumped on it," Wood said of Anderson's home run. "First pitch of the game, heater. Maybe left it up a little bit. It was out over. He was definitely looking heater. It surprised me a little bit how he turned and burned on that to start the game. After that, we settled down and made some quality pitches."

Brandon Morrow (5-0) got the win with one scoreless inning.

White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez pitched well and made a quality start, allowing just one run on five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked three in an emotional game as it was his first time pitching in Dodger Stadium.

Gonzalez was born in Mexico, but his family moved to San Fernando -- a city outside Los Angeles -- when he was 4. He graduated from San Fernando High and then attended Los Angeles Mission College. He went to plenty of Dodgers games sitting in the upper-deck seats.

"There were a lot of emotions," Gonzalez said. "I had my family here. My friends. When I was stretching in the outfield right before I started warming up, everyone was there supporting. They were pretty pumped about it.

"It just got me going right off the get-go. There's a lot of memories here growing up. It was fun."

His parents and many other family members and friends were in attendance. His wife, Lucia, who just gave birth to their second child a few days ago, was back in Chicago.

Juan Minaya (1-1), who allowed one hit and one run in one-plus inning, took the loss.

In the sixth inning, the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger used his speed to reach via an infield single. Yasmani Grandal singled and Yasiel Puig drew a walk to load the bases. A Logan Forsythe sacrifice fly scored Bellinger from third to tie the game at 1.

Puig was moved up to sixth in the batting order on Tuesday because of his consistency in at-bats, according to Roberts. He went 0-for-2 with two walks.

Forsythe and Pederson, who have been struggling as of late, were dropped to seventh and eighth in the order, respectively. Still, Pederson found a way to help the Dodgers clinch yet another comeback win.

NOTES: The Dodgers traded RHP Chris Hatcher to Oakland for international bonus pool money. The reliever was not going to get much work in the stacked Los Angeles bullpen, according to manager Dave Roberts .... Dodgers OF Rob Segedin (toe strain, wrist surgery) was activated from the 60-day disabled list ... The White Sox reinstated RHP Dylan Covey (left oblique strain) from the disabled list. ... White Sox C Geovany Soto (right elbow surgery) is expected to miss the rest of the season .... 1B Adrian Gonzalez (back) will make the Dodgers' next road trip, which starts Friday in Detroit. Gonzalez last played in a game on June 11. ... White Sox INF Matt Davidson (right wrist bruise) had a rehab setback caused by irritation. There was no structural damage, but his return date is unknown.

Merrifield helps Royals trounce White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Whit Merrifield and Jorge Bonifacio homered to lead the Kansas City Royals in a 14-6 rout of the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon.

Merrifield drove in five runs and No. 9 batter Drew Butera had a career-high four hits for the Royals, who won two straight to take the three-game series against Chicago following a five-game losing streak.

The White Sox had won four of their last five games. They were trying to win back-to-back series for the first time since mid-June.

Royals left-hander Jason Vargas (14-6) allowed three runs, struck out seven and walked two in six innings to match his career high for victories in a season. He also won 14 games in 2012 with Seattle. Vargas was 1-3 with a 6.94 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break.

White Sox starter Derek Holland (6-12) made his shortest start of the season, allowing seven runs in two innings and snapping Chicago's streak of four consecutive quality starts. He gave up seven hits, a home run and three walks.

The Royals, who were a game back in the American League wild-card race pending late afternoon play, scored four runs in the second, third and sixth innings. Butera singled to load the bases in the second inning before left fielder Leury Garcia committed a throwing error to bring in the first run. Lorenzo Cain's single drove in two runs before he advanced on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on Melky Cabrera's single.

Bonifacio led off the third with his 15th home run, and Merrifield added his 14th, a three-run shot in the third inning.

Tim Anderson hit a two-run home run, his 13th, and Jose Abreu had an RBI single to cut Kansas City's lead to 8-3 in the fifth. Center fielder Cain made a running catch near the wall to end the inning with two on.

Bonifacio's RBI single, Cheslor Cuthbert's sacrifice fly and Merrifield's two-run triple scored four more runs for the Royals in the sixth.

The White Sox put up a three-run spot in the seventh. After an error, Avisail Garcia had a two-run double and Nicky Delmonico added an RBI double. Delmonico has reached base safely in 12 straight games to start his career, extending the team record. He stretched his hitting streak to 10 games.

Kansas City also had an impressive defensive play in the second. With two on, shortstop Alcides Escobar ended the inning with a running, underhanded catch in center field.

The Royals took a 7-6 lead in the teams' season series.

NOTES: Royals RHP Jake Junis (4-2, 4.70 ERA) is expected to start Monday against Oakland. He is 3-5 with a 2.92 ERA with Triple-A Omaha. Junis will be filling in for RHP Trevor Cahill (right shoulder impingement), who went on the 10-day disabled list Thursday. ... White Sox 3B Matt Davidson (right wrist contusion) said he is still having issues swinging a bat and will be reevaluated in the next couple of days. He went on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 8, retroactive to Aug. 4. He will join the team on its trip to Los Angeles but not play. ... 1B Jose Abreu is the first player in White Sox history to start his major league career with four straight 20-home run seasons, according to STATS LLC. He hit his 20th home run Saturday. ... The Royals rallied to beat the White Sox 5-4 Saturday for their 34th comeback victory of the season, tying them for third-most in the majors with the Diamondbacks and one fewer than the Angels and Dodgers. Kansas City is one comeback victory short of last season's total.

Cabrera homers to send Royals past White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Melky Cabrera harbors no hard feelings toward the Chicago White Sox for dealing him to the Kansas City Royals before the trade deadline.

However, Cabrera did not mind hitting a go-ahead home run to help beat his former team.

"I've got a lot of friends over there," Cabrera said through an interpreter. "I liked it there. But I'm here with Kansas City now, and I'm trying to help this club win."

Cabrera's two-run home run in the eighth inning keyed the Royals' 5-4 win on Saturday night. Eric Hosmer also homered as Kansas City (58-58) snapped a five-game losing streak.

Kansas City manager Ned Yost enjoyed the celebratory rap music playing in the locker room as he conducted a postgame interview in his office.

"These kind of wins are the wins that help you stop the bleeding," Yost said. "We have been struggling, and you get a great pitching performance by your starter. ... It was huge to answer back."

Jose Abreu hit a pair of solo home runs to lead the White Sox at the plate. Leury Garcia drove in two more runs for Chicago (45-69), which had its four-game winning streak come to an end.

Cabrera stung his former team to erase a 4-3 deficit in the eighth. He lifted a low pitch to the opposite field for his 16th home run of the season and his third since Kansas City acquired him from Chicago.

"(The pitch) ended up staying out over the plate," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He put a good swing on it. Melky does what he sometimes does -- he drove it out of the ballpark."

Royals left-hander Scott Alexander (3-3) earned the win in relief. He replaced right-hander Ian Kennedy, who allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The White Sox's comeback attempt fell short in the ninth as Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas made a diving stop on a ground ball by Adam Engel that could have tied the game. Moustakas climbed to his feet and fired a strike to first base for the final out.

"I knew I had to be ready," Moustakas said. "I got a pretty good read on the hop, so I was able to get there and make a play on it."

White Sox left-hander Aaron Bummer (1-3) took the loss out of the bullpen after allowing Cabrera's home run.

The bullpen loss negated a solid outing by White Sox right-hander James Shields, who gave up three runs in six innings. He walked one and struck out eight, which marked a season high.

"It was nice to get some swings and misses today, get some strikeouts when I needed it" Shields said.

Right-hander Kelvin Herrera pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 25th save for the Royals.

Abreu pulled the White Sox within 3-2 in the sixth inning when he belted his second home run of the game and his 21st of the year. The 410-foot shot over the left-field wall gave him nine career multi-homer games.

Garcia gave Chicago a 4-3 lead with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh. His line drive up the middle scored Tim Anderson and Omar Narvaez, who slid just in front of an attempted tag by catcher Drew Butera.

The Royals grabbed an early lead on Hosmer's solo home run into the left-field bleachers in the first inning. The blast marked Hosmer's 19th home run and his third in the past seven games.

Kansas City added two more runs in the second to increase its advantage to 3-0. Alcides Escobar ripped a triple to the wall in right-center field, which scored Mike Moustakas. Three batters later, Whit Merrifield singled to center field to push Escobar across the plate.

Chicago trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the fourth on Abreu's 20th home run. Abreu became the first player in White Sox history to hit 20-plus homers in each of his first four seasons.

"He continues to impress by the way he goes about doing his business," Renteria said. "He's a really good example to everybody about staying the course, working hard."

NOTES: White Sox OF Avisail Garcia returned to the starting lineup Saturday after receiving a day off because his legs were tired. He went 2-for-3. ... Royals C Salvador Perez (strained intercostal muscle) played catch Saturday and might try to take some swings next week as he nears a return. Perez has been out since Aug. 5 ... White Sox DH Matt Davidson (bruised right wrist) will remain on the 10-day disabled list for an indefinite period after experiencing a setback. Davidson was injured Aug. 1 when he was hit by a pitch from Toronto Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman. ... Royals OF Melky Cabrera extended his hit streak to eight games.

White Sox cap sweep of Astros with 11-inning win

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- As soon as his 11th-inning single scooted through the right side of the infield and he rounded first base, Yoan Moncada suddenly had nowhere to run.

The Chicago White Sox rookie second baseman's teammates quickly surrounded him and doused him with a combination of water, Gatorade and ice.

His first walk-off hit sparked an instant celebration following only the White Sox's second sweep of the season and first since April.

Moncada hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and then followed it with the decisive single in the 11th as the White Sox beat the American League-leading Houston Astros 3-2 on Thursday night.

"It was something indescribable," Moncada said of his game-winning moment. "My feelings, all my emotions were through the roof."

Moncada's game-winning single off Houston reliever Francis Martes finished off the rally. Leury Garcia singled to open the 11th and took second base on an error. However, before Moncada could deliver the game-winner, he had to rally the White Sox, who were down to their final two outs in the ninth inning.

Moncada tied the game on a one-out solo home run off Astros closer Ken Giles, who had converted 22 of 24 save opportunities before Thursday. The White Sox then put runners on first and second after back-to-back walks, but Giles struck out Yolmer Sanchez to force extra innings.

By then, Moncada had done just enough damage to set up his next at-bat in the 11th.

"Obviously, that's big," manager Rick Renteria said of Moncada's performance. "He homers and then he wins it with a base hit there late. He did a nice job, and he is taking some nice swings."

David Holmberg (2-3) earned the win after recording the last out in the top of the 11th inning.

Martes (4-2) took the loss as the Astros' struggles since the All-Star break continued. Houston lost for the seventh time in nine games.

"We'll figure it out -- we've got a good group in there," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "Every team goes through these stretches, and this is really one of the first tough stretches where we have had a couple of weeks where we haven't gotten the results that we've wanted. But the reality is, you have to play good baseball. We'll turn it around, we'll do it."

Luke Gregerson pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to protect Houston's 2-1 lead. The White Sox threatened when Avisail Garcia singled and reached third on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by Astros catcher Juan Centeno.

After Gregerson struck out Sanchez and Tim Anderson, then intentionally walked Omar Narvaez to load the bases, he got pinch hitter Alen Hanson to ground out to first.

The Astros led 2-0 in the sixth inning after Marwin Gonzalez produced a two-out double that scored Yuli Gurriel, who reached on a fielder's choice. The White Sox answered with a run in the sixth when Avisail Garcia, who doubled with one out, scored on a Sanchez fielder's choice.

Jake Marisnick led off the third inning with a solo home run to give the Astros a 1-0 lead, driving a 1-0 pitch by White Sox starter Carlos Rodon deep into the left field bleachers for his 14th homer.

Houston starter Brad Peacock pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He scattered seven hits while striking out five and walking one.

Rodon allowed two runs on nine hits in eight innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk, which helped set up Chicago's third straight victory -- all against the American League Central leaders.

"For us to sweep a team like the Astros that are the best team in the league is something that enhances our confidence," Moncada said. "That's something making us feel a more comfortable (with) our talent."

NOTES: Astros CF George Springer was used in the designated hitter spot Thursday, a day after coming off the disabled list, and he went 0-for-4. Manager A.J. Hinch expects to use Springer as a DH this weekend against the Texas Rangers as Springer gets re-acclimated after missing 13 games with a left quad injury. ... White Sox 3B Matt Davidson expects to start swinging a bat Friday as he continues to deal with a right wrist contusion. He hopes to return Tuesday when the White Sox against the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... RHP Reynaldo Lopez will make his White Sox debut Friday against the Kansas City Royals. Lopez went 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 22 starts this season with Triple-A Charlotte. He replaces RHP Mike Pelfrey in the rotation after the veteran was moved to the bullpen.

Gonzalez bounces back to lead White Sox past Astros

(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Considering how poorly his last outing went, all Miguel Gonzalez was looking for Wednesday night was to take a step in the right direction.

Dominating the American League's best team certainly got the job done.

Gonzalez took a shutout into the eighth inning, and Tim Anderson homered and drove in three runs as the Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-1.

The White Sox will look to sweep Astros when the three-game series concludes Thursday.

Six days after allowing seven runs in 1 2/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox, Gonzalez (6-10) gave up one run on five hits and struck out four while walking only one in eight innings. He earned his 50th career victory.

"Us as starters have four days to think about what we have to do to get better, and you always have that in back of your mind," Gonzalez said. "But you try to keep it as short as possible and not think about it when you're out there. But it was definitely a good one today."

Derek Fisher got to Gonzalez with a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning.

Anderson sparked the White Sox in the fifth and sixth innings, when Chicago hit Astros starter Colin McHugh (0-1) hard and tallied all of its runs. Anderson's RBI double in the sixth gave the White Sox a 5-0 lead before Leury Garcia followed with a two-run single.

"I'm feeling more like myself," Anderson said.

Staked to a big lead, Gonzalez took care of the rest before David Holmberg pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the victory.

"It was a great game overall," Gonzalez said. "We knew coming in (that) the Astros have a pretty good offensive team. Everything works off your fastball, and it was pretty nice to be able to capitalize and do a better job than I did last outing. (I'm) pretty happy with it."

After McHugh had only allowed two hits in the first four innings, Nicky Delmonico singled to lead off the fifth before Anderson followed with his 11th home run of the season to break the scoreless tie.

Omar Narvaez followed with a single before Garcia delivered a one-out, ground-rule double. Yolmer Sanchez's two-run single extended the lead to 4-0 before McHugh got out of the inning with a double play.

Both teams wasted early scoring chances. The Astros had runners on second and third with one out in the second inning, but Gonzalez got Brian McCann to fly out before striking out Fisher.

"It was just a night when (Gonzalez) used all of his pitches pretty effectively," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "The (game) results are obviously going to be tough on our guys, but I always like our approach. We've got to go up ready to hit. We just couldn't get anything to get started until the end.

"All in all, just not a good night."

After breaking out for the seven runs, the White Sox not only picked up their second straight win against the Astros, but they recorded their first series victory in nearly six weeks by capturing the first two games.

"I think the last couple of games we've played pretty good baseball," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "When you do that, these guys have had really good approaches at the plate, done some nice things in the field, they're communicating, they're talking. It's a process. I think they're kind of growing into it."

NOTES: Astros CF George Springer returned after missing 13 games with a left quad injury and went 1-for-4 in the leadoff spot. "He's such a stable part of our team in so many ways -- it's nice to have him back," manager A.J. Hinch said. ... Astros 1B Tyler White was sent to Triple-A Fresno to make room for Springer. White hit .310 in nine games with three home runs and nine RBIs. White was optioned over 3B J.D. Davis, who was called up from Fresno on Saturday. ... White Sox RF Avisail Garcia played for a second straight day despite still experiencing some inflammation in his right thumb. Garcia returned Tuesday after missing 12 games with a strained ligament in the thumb. Chicago manager Rick Renteria said Wednesday he would monitor how Garcia's thumb progresses. After going 2-for-5 on Tuesday, Garcia was 0-for-3 on Wednesday.

Astros look to continue ascent vs. reeling White Sox

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(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- The Houston Astros look to build upon the best record in the American League when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night to open a three-game series.

Houston (71-40) is coming off a series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays and boasts a major-league-best 38-15 record on the road. The Astros have scored more runs (656) and hit more home runs (182) than any other team in baseball this season.

Meanwhile, Chicago (41-68) is in a freefall in the first year of its long-term rebuilding project. The White Sox have lost six games in a row and have posted a miserable 3-19 record since the All-Star break.

Life will not get any easier for the White Sox as they face Houston's ace.

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel (9-1, 2.15 ERA) will try to notch his 10th victory in his 14th start of the season. Keuchel, who has reached double-digit victories on two occasions (2014, 2015), also is going for career win No. 60.

In two starts since coming off the disabled list after recovering from a neck ailment, Keuchel has shown signs of vulnerability. He allowed a total of six earned runs in eight innings (6.75 ERA) over the two outings, and he took his first loss of the season Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In five career starts against the White Sox, Keuchel is 2-2 with a 2.67 ERA. He has walked nine and struck out 30 in 33 2/3 innings.

White Sox left-hander Derek Holland (5-11, 5.27 ERA) is scheduled to face the Astros in his 22nd start. The veteran started the season well but has struggled along with the rest of the team in recent months. He is 1-7 with an 8.65 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) since June 2, and he has lost each of his past five decisions.

Holland is familiar with Astros' hitters from his years in the AL West as a member of the Texas Rangers' rotation. In 13 starts against Houston, he is 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA. He has allowed an average of one home run per outing.

The Astros might welcome back injured outfielder George Springer, who has been on the 10-day disabled list because of discomfort in his left quadriceps. The team plans to determine before the Tuesday game whether he is ready to return. Springer is hitting .310 with 27 home runs and 66 RBIs in 93 games.

"I've been doing everything you can think of (to rehab)," Springer said to the Houston Chronicle when asked about a possible return in Chicago. "There's a lot I have to continue to do, and we'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, the White Sox will wait and see whether third baseman/designated hitter Matt Davidson is ready to return. Davidson, who leads the team with 22 home runs, has missed five games in a row because of a bruised right wrist that he sustained when he was hit by a pitch from Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said his players should not put their heads down amid a long losing streak.

"We're playing some really good clubs," Renteria said to MLB.com. "We're going to go out there every single day to hopefully play clean baseball on every side of the ball, on the bases, in the field and with the stick. Hopefully we'll continue to play a little better baseball."

Red Sox complete sweep of White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- BOSTON -- Chris Young doesn't get the chance to play every day, so he knows the importance of taking advantage of his opportunities.

On Sunday, Young did just that as he socked two home runs and had a career-high-tying five RBIs to help the Boston Red Sox compete a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 6-3 win at Fenway Park.

"It's just one of those days," Young said after his 15th career multi-homer day. "I'm working on my swing every day and trying to keep timing."

It was the third straight game Young played, and he hasn't played four in a row since May 28-June 1. On Friday and Saturday, Young went a combined 1-for-6 with an RBI and three strikeouts.

"I got the opportunity to play a few games in a row and kind of make adjustments from game-to-game and be able to get to the point where today I felt good at the plate," he said.

In addition to Young's three-run and solo homers, he also had an RBI double. It is the fifth time Young has driven in five runs in a game and the first since July 28, 2015.

Eduardo Nunez got in on the fun with his fourth homer since joining the Red Sox on July 26, a solo bomb and his eighth overall this season.

Boston (63-49) has clubbed 17 homers in its last 11 games, winning six straight overall and maintaining its three-game lead atop the American League East after a New York Yankees loss.

"We're in a pretty good place right now," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I think it's pretty apparent when we do hit a couple inside of a game, it's pretty astounding when you look at the win-loss (record) ..."

The Red Sox improved to 27-4 when they hit multiple homers in a game this season.

Yolmer Sanchez, Tim Anderson and Alen Hanson each drove in a run for Chicago (41-68) as the White Sox dropped their sixth straight and lost for the 19th time in 22 games since the All-Star break.

Chicago was outscored 22-11 during the four-game series and 122-68 since the break.

It was the first time since July 21-24, 1988, that the White Sox were swept in a four-game series at Fenway Park.

"The long ball got us here," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said.

Doug Fister (2-5) earned the win after allowing three runs on eight hits with a season-high seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth for his 27th save.

White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey (3-10) was the loser after surrendering all six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over 5 2/3 innings.

"Made a lot of mistakes today, from the first inning with a couple of fastballs, that's a good team over there and they put some good swings on it obviously," Pelfrey said. "Ended up being a rough day."

Young snapped a 3-3 tie with his second homer of the day with two outs in the fifth inning, a three-run shot he slugged approximately 349 feet off the foul pole in left field.

"It just happened to be at a bad time, with two guys on," Pelfrey said of Young's three-run homer.

Before Young stepped to the plate, Renteria made the call to intentionally walk Andrew Benintendi to put runners on first and second.

"I tried to do a matchup that didn't work out, obviously, with the three-run homer," said Renteria, and Pelfrey added that he had "no problem with" the call to walk Benintendi.

Nunez and Young socked solo home runs to give Boston an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Nunez's one-out blast traveled an estimated 400 feet to center. Young's shot came two at-bats later with two outs, sailing approximately 402 feet over the Green Monster in left.

Chicago responded quickly with three runs in the second. Back-to-back RBI singles from Sanchez and Anderson tied the game before Hanson's sacrifice put the White Sox up 3-2.

Young's two-out RBI double in the third tied the game.

NOTES: Boston DH/1B Hanley Ramirez (sore obliques) missed his second straight game after leaving Friday's contest with the injuries. ... Red Sox RF Mookie Betts (rest) had the day off and OF Chris Young started in right field. ... Chicago INF Matt Davidson (bruised right wrist) was a late scratch after being listed as the starting DH, his fifth consecutive game missed. Tyler Saladino was the DH. ... Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) underwent a full defensive test Sunday and is improving. "He even talks about the difference he feels running," manager John Farrell said. "He's responded favorably to the treatment that's been administered." ... White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (sprained right thumb) could return from the disabled list without a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday. "He's confident about where he's at, that it's pain free," manager Rick Renteria said. ... White Sox LHP Derek Holland (5-11, 5.27 ERA) faces the Houston Astros, and Red Sox LHP Chris Sale (13-4, 2.70 ERA) opposes the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Pomeranz leads Red Sox past White Sox

(TSX / STATS) -- BOSTON -- Drew Pomeranz continues to be a model of consistency for the suddenly surging Boston Red Sox.

The left-hander, a trade deadline pickup by Boston last season who came to town with a balky elbow, has left that all in the past and is behind only Cy Young candidate Chris Sale in the rotation.

"He's throwing the ball extremely well," Boston manager John Farrell said after Pomeranz won his fifth straight decision -- over 10 starts -- to help the Red Sox to their fifth straight win, a 4-1 decision over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night. "He feels good physically and another quality start on his part."

With David Price hurt through much of the season, Steve Wright lost for the year early and 2016 Cy Young winner Rick Porcello a 14-game loser to date, Pomeranz's consistency has been a major factor in this team being three games ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East.

"Those are hard to replace," Farrell said of the consistent efforts. "Any time you get a guy who's going to the mound every fifth day and pitching as effectively as Drew is ..."

He has lost once since May 14 and has allowed two or fewer runs in eight of the 10 games without a loss.

Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit two-run homers in the first two innings and Pomeranz (11-4 and already matching last year's career-high win total) pitched into the seventh. Blaine Boyer and Craig Kimbrel (26th save) finished up -- and the last-place White Sox, losers of 22 of their last 26, committed a baserunning blunder in each of the last three innings.

"My pitches have been really consistent," Pomeranz said. "My control has been consistent with them for the most part. Tonight, my curveball came back and was really good."

He gave up a home run to Tim Anderson on the second pitch of the game and that was it.

"It kind of woke me up a little bit," he said of the homer, Anderson's third career leadoff home run, second this season. "I locked in and started attacking it from there.

"It's all about not letting it snowball into something else. You give up the homer, get rid of it and start to worry about the next guy."

He left after giving up his sixth and seventh hits around an out in the seventh. Anderson then hit a liner to right off Boyer and Mookie Betts doubled Nicky Delmonico off first as the White Sox started their embarrassing final three innings.

Jose Abreu was thrown out trying for a double in the eighth and Kimbrel picked Leury Garcia off first after hitting him with a pitch to start the ninth.

"We out-hit them -- seven singles -- but a couple of base-running miscues today," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria.

Benintendi and Bradley both hit their 13th homers of the season off James Shields (2-4) and that was enough for the Red Sox to continue their streak.

"As the calendar's turned we've had a few things turn offensively as well," said Farrell.

The home run was the 15th of his major league career for Benintendi, who has bounced back after taking a couple of days off to get his head together. It was his first against an American League team at Fenway Park.

His 57 RBIs this season are the most by a Red Sox rookie since Brian Daubach had 73 in 1999.

Shields went on to work six innings in falling to 9-14 lifetime against the Red Sox. He came in with an ERA of 9.00 over his previous five starts, but an unearned run in the first inning made this a quality start.

"I made two bad pitches tonight. That's how I feel," he said. "That's a good lineup over there overall. To keep them to five hits isn't too bad, but unfortunately we lost."

NOTES: Red Sox LHP Chris Sale, talking to Chicago media about his former team, said, "They could be pretty darn good here in a few years." ... The Red Sox activated RHP Joe Kelly (hamstring) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Austin Maddox back to Triple-A Pawtucket. ... RHP Reynaldo Lopez, the White Sox's top prospect, could be recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to start Friday night. GM Rick Hahn said Lopez will pitch in the minors Sunday and a decision will be made Tuesday. ... Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) is expected to come off the DL Tuesday, his first day eligible. ... Boston DH/1B Hanley Ramirez (oblique) was out and is day-to-day while C Sandy Leon (knee) is set for his first start in eight games Sunday. ... RHPs Mike Pelfrey (Chicago) and Doug Fister (Boston) are a combined 4-14 as they face each other Sunday. Pelfrey is 3-9 and Fister is 1-5 and coming off ending his personal 10-game losing streak. ... RHP Carson Smith, coming back from Tommy John surgery, made his first rehab appearance -- at Double-A Portland -- Saturday. He walked three in his inning but came out feeling fine.