Game 111: Chicago @ Kansas City

Game Date: August 2, 2008
Royals 9, White Sox 7 / Box Score
WP: Davies (5-2), LP: Buehrle (8-10), SV: Soria (31)
Royal Home Runs: Butler (7), Guillen (15), Olivo (10)
Royals Record: 51-60

No matter what the dimensions of the stadium and no matter what era we're talking about, when August rolls around in Kansas City, home runs start flying out of Kauffman Stadium. Yesterday, both teams combined for seven dingers. So it's probably safe to say that pitching wasn't exactly at a premium.

The Royals pummeled Mark Buehrle for eight earned runs on fourteen hits in 4.1 innings. Kyle Davies wasn't great, but he was good enough--giving up three earned runs on five hits in 5.1 innings, picking up his fifth win of the season in the process.

The Royals got down 3-0 early and came storming back in the second and third inning. Billy Butler's third inning home run gave the Royals a 4-3 lead. The Royals scored three more runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth. But the White Sox played a little long ball in the eighth and got to within one run. Miguel Olivo hit a solo home run in the eighth to extend the lead to two runs.

And Joakim Soria was called upon to get a five-out save. He ended up throwing 27 pitches, but he closed the door on the White Sox and helped to preserve the Royals fifth win in their last six games.

Zack Greinke (8-7, 3.98) will go up against Clayton Richard (0-1, 9.35) this afternoon. Greinke is 2-8 in his career against the White Sox with a 5.10 ERA in 83.0 IP. Richard has never faced the Royals.