KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Jakob Junis overcame an uncertain start against the Chicago White Sox.
Junis struck out a career-high 10 and Nicky Lopez drove in a pair of runs as Kansas City beat the White Sox 5-2 on Monday night. It was the Royals third win in four games since the All-Star break.
My command early wasnt the greatest but it got better, Junis said. My fastball command got better as the game went along. Probably the sharpest my slider has been all year.
The Royals beat Lucas Giolito for the first time and thwarted his bid for a 12th victory. The right-hander entered the game 6-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 previous career starts against Kansas City. After an eight-game winning streak, Giolito is 1-3 with a 6.48 ERA in his last five starts.
I kind of lost my slider in the middle of the game and they took advantage a lot better than they have in the past of mistakes, Giolito said. Overall, I thought it was OK. Just a few pitches that I left over the middle that they were able to take advantage of.
Junis (5-8) worked seven innings and gave up one run, James McCanns 10th homer of the season.
It probably went about a thousand feet, I didnt even look at it, Junis said.
Actually the McCanns shot to left field traveled 430 feet.
Whit Merrifield extended his hitting streak to 13 games (.358, 19 for 53) with a bunt single in the seventh. He leads the majors with 122 hits.
Giolito (11-4) was hit on his left shoulder by a wicked line drive off the bat of Lopez. The ball ricocheted into right field and Lopez got a double.
The Royals got to Giolito in the fourth inning. Alex Gordon and Hunter Dozier had back-to-back doubles for the Royals first run. Dozier advanced on a wild pitch and scored on single by Cheslor Cuthbert, making the score 2-0.
Giolito was removed after the six innings and 94 pitches. Dozier and Lopez each had two hits off the White Sox ace.
I came in with a pretty good plan and I just tried to get a good pitch to hit and put some good swings on it. And I think thats what we all did, Lopez said. We all put some pretty good swings on him, better than the past times we faced him.
Jon Jay went 4-for-4 for the White Sox with two doubles and two singles but didnt score a run. The Sox stranded 10 runners.
Royals closer Ian Kennedy worked a scoreless ninth for his 14th save in 17 chances.
