*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*
Needing a win by any means necessary to keep close in the wild card race, the Chicago White Sox unleashed their offense. Jose Abreu homered, Eloy Jimenez drove in 4 runs, and the White Sox routed the Kansas City Royals with a 9-2 victory on Tuesday night in Chicago.
Trying to stay near the wild card spots as the season drags on, the White Sox have found their form lately, having won 6 of their last 10 games to improve to one game over .500, sitting at 52-51 early in August. In turn, the combination of Jimenez and Abreu drove in 7 of Chicago's 9 runs.
Jimenez said of the team's recent form that "It's good, you know? That's good to have everybody healthy and be available to do that and having fun. That's one of the things you want to have when you have a team like we have."
The White Sox jumped out to an early lead in this one. In the first inning, RBI singles from Jimenez, Abreu, and AJ Pollock made it a 3-0 lead for Chicago. In the 3rd inning, an RBI single from Salvador Perez and an RBI double from Hunter Dozier got the Royals on the board and made it a 3-2 game. In the 4th inning, Tim Anderson and Josh Harrison scored on a Jimenez double, making it 5-2 White Sox.
In the 6th inning, Jimenez got himself a sac fly, scoring Harrison to make the score 6-2 in favor of the White Sox. Abreu then ran into a two run home run to left field, opening up the game to make it an 8-2 score. In the 7th, the White Sox made it a 9-2 game when Gavin Sheets hit a solo home run to right field.
White Sox starter Lucas Giolito said that "It’s just when it comes to game time, having that preparation beforehand, and everyone is focused and confident and ready to go. Tonight was a really good example of that. So if we continue to attack games like we did today, we are going to be in a very good spot."
It was Giolito who got the start for the White Sox, getting the win after allowing two runs on 5 hits over 5 innings pitched. Jake Diekman made his White Sox debut with a scoreless 6th inning, followed by appearances from Joe Kelly, Matt Foster, and Tanner Banks to seal the win.
Getting the start for the Royals was Brad Keller, who got shelled in his start. Keller was tagged for 8 runs on 13 hits and one walk, lasting just 5 2/3 innings in a rout of a loss. Josh Staumont came on and pitched 1 1/3 innings, followed by one inning from Amir Garrett.
Up next, the White Sox and Royals conclude their series on Wednesday, with Lance Lynn taking the mound for Chicago, while Brady Singer starts for the Royals.
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