By HAILEY CHAPMAN
The Kansas City Royals continued to show their dominance against the Chicago White Sox — despite the heat Thursday afternoon. Kansas City won 6-5, the closest contest of the series.
The White Sox tacked on two runs in the first to threaten the Royals’ series sweep, but a five-run third inning proved to be the difference.
Starting pitcher Brad Keller set the tone for the day in his 6.1 innings of work before being pulled due to the heat. Keller allowed four runs on nine hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Keller gave up the lone home run of the day off the bat of Yoán Moncada.
Keller was replaced by Tim Hill, who was able to work a grounder into a double play to end the seventh. The Royals kept rolling with a 6-4 lead until the ninth, when the White Sox applied pressure — pushing one run across. Ian Kennedy was then called in to close, earning a second consecutive save within the series, his 16th of the year.
Offensively, Cheslor Cuthbert and Jorge Soler each homered to assist the Kansas City lead. Cuthbert went 3 for 5 on the day, while Soler went 2 for 5. RBI leaders were Soler and Billy Hamilton, both with two. Cuthbert and Cam Gallagher each added one.
The Royals will face the Cleveland Indians Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
Since the All-Star break, Kansas City has won six of its seven games.