Royals hold off White Sox 6-5, remain 4 back of wild card
CHICAGO (AP) - Whit Merrifield hit a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals held on for a 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Royals closer Wade Davis gave up a single to Tyler Saladino and a double to Adam Eaton to lead off the ninth before Melky Cabrera's infield single cut the deficit to one.
With the tying run on third and one out, Davis struck out Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau for his 23rd save as the Royals remained four games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.
Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the first and Alex Gordon a solo shot in the fourth off White Sox starter James Shields. The struggling righty exited after six innings leading 4-3 before the Chicago's bullpen faltered.
Chris Beck (2-2) was charged with three runs while giving up two hits and a walk and getting one out.
Kevin McCarthy (1-0) got the last out of the sixth for the win.