Lynch, 4 relievers lead Royals to 3-2 win over White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) — Daniel Lynch and four relievers held the Chicago White Sox in check, and Emmanuel Rivera’s line drive was misplayed into an early two-run double Thursday night that helped the Kansas City Royals hang on for a 3-2 victory.

Kansas City won its second consecutive game, while the AL Central-leading White Sox lost for the ninth time in their last 14.

Chicago has scored two runs or fewer in three of its past four games.

“We've got to have a better strike zone,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “We did some chasing tonight.”

White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez hit a two-out RBI double that snapped an 0-for-13 slump, but reliever Scott Barlow ranged quickly to his right to field a grounder by Andrew Vaughn for the final out of the eighth.

Jake Brentz worked a hitless ninth for his first major league save.

“My adrenaline was through the roof,” Brentz said.

Lynch (2-3) pitched five-plus innings of one-run ball. He limited the White Sox to four hits and has given up only four runs over his last 19 innings.

“I thought his slider was really good,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He had some tough-looking swings from some very good hitters.”

Lynch gained some redemption for a May 8 start against Chicago in which he allowed eight runs on seven hits in two-thirds of an inning

“It’s on your mind a little bit,” he said. “But I knew I’d have to battle, so I framed it that way.”

The Royals’ bullpen has held the White Sox to one run over its last nine innings.

Josh Staumont bailed Lynch out of a jam by getting Vaughn to ground into a double play with the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base, and first baseman Carlos Santana made a diving stop to rob Yoan Moncada of an extra-base hit to end the sixth.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Lynch-4-relievers-lead-Royals-to-3-2-win-over-16368493.php