Rienzo wins one for Brazil, White Sox
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Dayan Viciedo hit a grand slam and Andre Rienzo became the first Brazilian-born pitcher to pick up a win in the majors as the Chicago White Sox topped the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Wednesday night.
The last-place White Sox have won a season-high five straight, all on the road. The Royals lost for the seventh time in nine games, putting a damper on their playoff aspirations, and falling 9 ½ games behind first-place Detroit. The Royals have scored 18 runs and hit .118 with runners in scoring position in the nine-game slide.
Vicideo's second career grand slam was the exclamation point of a five-run fourth inning.
Rienzo, a 25-year-old rookie right-hander who was born in San Paulo, Brazil, gave up two runs on five hits in six innings to earn the victory.
Relievers Donnie Veal, Matt Lindstrom, Nate Jones and Addison Reed, who logged his 33rd save, limited the Royals to one single over the final three innings to preserve Rienzo's victory.
Jeremy Guthrie lost his third straight start, giving up nine hits and five runs in six innings.
The Royals trimmed the White Sox to 5-2 when David Lough's two-out sixth -inning single scored Alex Gordon.
The White Sox scored in the first two innings to seize a 2-0 lead.
Gordon Beckham homered to left off Ervin Santana in the first inning. Beckham, who entered the game a career .221 hitter against the Royals, belted his seventh career homer against Kansas City but his first this year.
Paul Konerko led off the second with a double to left and stopped at third on Avisal Garcia's single to center. Konerko came home on a passed ball charged to catcher Salvador Perez with Conor Gillaspie batting.
The White Sox threatened in the fourth, loading the bases on a Garcia single and walks to Konerko and Dayan Viciedo. After a visit to the mound from pitching coach Dave Eiland, Santana rebounded by striking out Josh Phegley swinging to end the inning.
White Sox left-hander John Danks, who was 5-0 in his first 12 career starts against the Royals, limited Kansas City to five hits in five scoreless innings. Eric Hosmer stroked two singles and Justin Maxwell bashed a double for the only extra-base hit.
Danks was 0-5 with three no-decisions and a 4.70 ERA in his previous eight starts since a July 2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Santana, who was 3-0 with three no-decisions in his previous six starts, was replaced by Luke Hochevar after six innings. Santana gave up two runs and four hits while striking out five and walking two.
NOTES: The Royals reinstated OF Justin Maxwell from the bereavement list and optioned LHP Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha. This was Smith's sixth stint with the Royals this season. ...The White Sox have outscored opponents 61-60 in the first inning. ... Konerko's next home run will be the 432nd of his career, which would move one past Hall of Famer Cal Ripken for 44th place on the careerlist. ... Royals 3B Mike Moustakas, who has played in only one game since suffering a strained left calf on Aug. 12, was held out of the lineup again.
