I didn't think it could get worse than being baffled by Rodrigo Lopez. It came close today with Bruce Chen's dominance over Sox hitters. The first time through the lineup, the Sox went 9 up 9 down. Meanwhile, Edwin Jackson couldn't wait to let the Royals get on the scoreboard. Chris Getz walked to lead off the game, went to third on a single by Melky Cabrera and scored on an Alex Gordon double play.
Eric Hosmer owes Alex Rios a nice dinner at Morton's after he hit a home run in the 2nd inning to make the score 2-0. Rios had a perfect opportunity to rob the homer, but missed it. It was the 2nd time this series that Rios could have taken a homer back from Hosmer but didn't.
In the 4th it was more Royals, as Gordon singled to lead off the inning. After moving to 2nd on a Billy Butler groundout, he came around to score on a Jeff Francoeur single to make the score 3-0 K.C.
The Sox had a threat in the 4th as Juan Pierre led off with a single. After Brent Morel popped out, Adam Dunn walked. Pierre then stole third, but was left there when Paul Konerko grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
The Royals tacked on one more run in the 6th as Gordon again led off with a single. After a Butler fly out, Hosmer singled. A key wild pitch moved the runners up, and Francoeur took advantage again with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
The Sox bats finally awoke in the 6th. Rios lined a single to right and Gordon Beckham followed him with a smash single to left. Juan Pierre laid down a beautiful bunt and beat Brayan Pena's throw to load the bases with nobody out. Then the Sox reverted back to the team that we know as Brent Morel popped up to Hosmer. Adam Dunn drew a walk to bring in a run, but Konerko struck out looking and Carlos Quentin popped out to third. The Konerko at bat was so terrible, I logged in to MLB.Com and gave a few votes to Adam Jones.
Hector Santiago made his Major League debut in the 9th inning and looked very good in getting Hosmer out on strikes. Francoeur and Mike Moustakas each flied out to give the rookie a perfect inning.
The Sox couldn't get him his first win though, as Joakim Soria got Konerko, Quentin and A.J. Pierzynski out in order to end the game. The Sox are now 43-45. The struggles in the A.L. Central continue as they are now 7-13, with our biggest nemesis, the Minnesota Twins, coming in for 4 to end the first half.
Record: 43-45| Box