Danks pitches into 7th, White Sox beat Royals 2-0 for split

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez reacts after being hit by a ball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2015.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez reacts after being hit by a ball during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Friday, July 17, 2015.

CHICAGO (AP) - John Danks pitched four-hit ball into the seventh, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 Friday to split a day-night doubleheader.

The White Sox shook off a 4-2 loss in the opener to win for the 10th time in 14 games, with Danks (5-8) dominating on the mound.

Avisail Garcia tripled and scored on a single by Tyler Flowers in the second inning. Melky Cabrera doubled and came in from third on a wild pitch by Edinson Volquez (8-5). And Chicago handed the AL Central leaders their second loss in 10 games.

Danks exited to loud cheers with a 2-0 lead after he walked Alex Rios leading off the seventh.

It was the second scoreless outing in three starts for the 30-year-old left-hander, who has struggled since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2012. He shut down Baltimore over seven innings on July 3 before getting roughed up by Toronto.

In this one, Danks struck out four and walked four.

Jake Petricka retired the lone batter he faced. Zach Duke worked 1 2/3 perfect innings, and David Robertson pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 24 chances.

Volquez took his first loss since June 5 despite a strong outing. He gave up two runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings after going 4-0 in his previous seven starts.

In the opener, Mike Moustakas hit a solo homer in the fifth on the 12th pitch of the at-bat to give the Royals a 2-1 lead, and Alex Rios capped a two-run sixth with his drive off Jeff Samardzija (6-5) after Chicago tied it.

Chris Young (8-5) gave up two runs and three hits, including solo homers to Geovany Soto and Adam Eaton, in five innings.

Young felt his back tightening as the game went on and left after throwing 82 pitches.

Yost said it's "not serious at all." And Young expects to make his next scheduled start.

Four relievers combined to shut down the White Sox the rest of the way, with Greg Holland working the ninth for his 20th save in 22 chances.

Samardzija gave up four runs and seven hits in seven innings.

HONORING CHAMPS

The Chicago White Sox are set to hold another championship rally.

They are honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2005 World Series-winning season, with members of that team gathering in Chicago for the celebration. They will participate in the "Parade of Champions" before Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Some are scheduled to appear Sunday at the Chicago Theatre for "A Season to Remember: A Night with the 2005 World Series Champions."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: RHP Kris Medlen (elbow) rejoined the team and the team will decide in the next two or three days whether to activate him. He is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and has not pitched in the majors since 2013, when he won 15 games for Atlanta.

White Sox: GM Rick Hahn said RHP Matt Albers (fractured right pinky finger) and RHP Nate Jones, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, are progressing in their rehabilitation. RHP Jesse Crain (shoulder), who has not pitched in the majors since 2013, had a setback in an Arizona League game last week and it's not clear when his next outing will be.

UP NEXT

RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-5, 5.36) starts for Kansas City, with LHP Jose Quintana (4-9, 3.69) pitching for Chicago.

Related video:

Royals vs. White Sox game highlights

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