Zack Greinke solved the problems and kept Chicago scoreless until the seventh inning as the Kansas City Royals beat Dylan Cease and the White Sox 5-3 on Thursday.
Greinke allowed nine hits but didn’t walk. He dished out five strikeouts over 95 pitches over 6 1/3 innings.
Vinnie Pasquantino homered and Nicky Lopez had a two-run single for the Royals, who won back-to-back four-game series, something they hadn’t since Aug. 11-18, 2014.
Kansas City won three of four against visiting Boston before doing the same against Chicago.
Cease (12-5) gave up three hits and one run — on Pasquantino’s home run leading off the second inning — during his six-inning stint. His ERA improved to 1.96.
In 14 starts since May 24, Cease hasn’t given up more than one earned run in a game.
Scott Barlow gave up Andrew Vaugh’s home run in the ninth inning, but ended the game for his 18th save in 21 chances.
For the White Sox, the Cubans Luis Robert 5-1, José Abreu 5-1 with a run scored, Yasmani Grandal 5-3 with a run scored and two produced, Yoán Moncada 3-1. Dominican Eloy Jimenez 5-2. Venezuelan Lenyn Sosa 4-0.
For the Royals, the Venezuelan Salvador Pérez 4-0.
