Danks in complete control in win over Royals

KANSAS CITY -- Adam Eaton had four hits, including a three-run homer, and Alexei Ramirez had four hits as well as the White Sox gave left-hander John Danks plenty of support in a 12-1 romp over the Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Tyler Flowers also hit a three-run homer for the White Sox, who banged out 17 hits.

The Royals' magic number to clinch the American League Central dropped to 16, even with the loss, as the Twins lost 8-0 to the Astros on Friday night.

Danks upped his career record to 10-2 against the Royals, going the distance while giving up seven hits and one run. He walked one and struck out five. Danks threw 121 pitches, second highest of his career (123 pitches vs. the Rays last season).

Manager Ned Yost has no idea why Danks is so effective against the Royals.

"If you figure it out, you let me know," Yost said. "I have not figured it out. I mean, seriously, I haven't. He's … I don't know. Certain players have certain teams that they do really well against. It's like certain players have certain pitchers they do really well against, and other guys that they don't. There's just no explanation for it."

"I've always enjoyed coming here in general. This is one of my favorite cities we go to over the course of the summer," Danks said. "I've spent a lot of time in this ballpark. I guess there is a certain level of comfort there, but that's a pretty good team over there. It's certainly not fun. I know I've had some success, some coincidence, some catching some breaks, but it's still not a fun game to try to maneuver through that lineup."

Royals right-hander Kris Medlen, making his third start, never got into a rhythm as he gave up a career-high seven runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He threw a season-high 98 pitches.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Three? That's a magic number: Medlen had barely settled in when the White Sox struck for three in the first inning with Alexei Ramirez's two-run single under Ben Zobrist's glove serving as the big hit. They added three more in the fourth when Flowers launched a three-run blast to left-center. More >

Video: CWS@KC: Ramirez singles in two runs in the 1st

Your serve, Danny: With the Royals well ahead in the AL Central, it's no secret that Medlen is competing with left-hander Danny Duffy for the fourth rotation spot in the playoffs. This outing for Medlen won't help his case. Although many of the White Sox hits were flares and seeing-eye grounders, Medlen wasn't sharp from the onset as he gave up three in the first. More >

Video: CWS@KC: Medlen fields chopper, gets the out at home

"Frustrating day because I didn't give us a chance to win," Medlen said. "Pretty [lousy] day."

The Melkman delivers: With the White Sox leading, 3-0, in the second and the outcome still in doubt, Paulo Orlando delivered a two-out single to left with Cheslor Cuthbert on second. Third-base coach Mike Jirschele decided to send Cuthbert, despite Cuthbert hitting third at about the same time left fielder Melky Cabrera got the ball, and Cabrera threw out Cuthbert by three or four steps.

Video: CWS@KC: Cabrera's throw nabs Cuthbert at home plate

STREAK IS OVER
The White Sox ended a three-game losing streak at Target Field with Thursday afternoon's victory, and followed up that effort by ending a six-game losing streak at Kauffman Stadium. The White Sox have a 2-8 record in Minneapolis this year and a 1-6 mark in Kansas City.

QUOTABLE
"That was nice to have a big lead. I was able to stay aggressive. There were times I fell behind, 2-0, or so, but because the offense did such a nice job, I was able to be aggressive within the strike zone, and fortunately it worked out." -- Danks, on his sixth career complete game and second of the season, ending a personal three-game losing streak with the 121-pitch effort

WHAT'S NEXT
White Sox: Jose Quintana hopes to extend the White Sox winning streak to three straight as he takes the mound for his 28th start of the season on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. CT. Quintana has made four starts against the Royals this season, all of which were no-decisions, contributing to his Major League-high 49 no-decisions since 2012.

Royals: Left-hander Danny Duffy gets the start for the series rematch against the White Sox on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. CT. Duffy (7-6, 4.11 ERA) has averaged 91 pitches per outing his last five starts, though he has made it into the sixth inning only twice during that span.

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