CHICAGO, 6 August 2003 — Aaron Guiel’s three-run double keyed a seven-run sixth inning as the Kansas City Royals won the opener of a crucial three-game series, downing the Chicago White Sox 13-9 in American League action on Monday.
The Royals opened a three-game advantage over the White Sox in the AL Central with their third straight victory, while Chicago lost for the third straight time.
The surprising Royals saw their once big lead in the division dwindle to just one percentage point on Friday, but they pounded out 13 hits to ensure that they will leave Chicago with no worse than a one-game lead when the series ends.
Kansas City did lose right fielder Michael Tucker, however, when he fouled a pitch off his leg and had to be removed from the field on a stretcher in the sixth inning.
Angel Berroa also drove in three runs for the Royals and had two hits and scored a pair of runs. Designated hitter Dee Brown added four hits and drove in a run for Kansas City. Runelvys Hernandez (6-4) allowed six runs on eight hits over six innings but still managed to pick up the win, despite striking out one and walking four. Al Levine pitched two shutout innings of relief for his first save of the season.
Scott Schoeneweis (2-2) failed to record an out in the sixth and was charged with four runs on three hits to take the loss.
Joe Crede hit a three-run homer for the White Sox, while Frank Thomas and Jose Valentin also homered for Chicago.
Devil Rays 10 Blue Jays 1
In St. Petersburg, Victor Zambrano tossed seven shutout innings and Julio Lugo homered and drove in five runs to lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 10-1 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Zambrano (9-5) allowed seven hits while striking out six and walking four as the Devil Rays beat the Blue Jays for the eighth time in 10 games this season.
Carl Crawford drove in two runs for Tampa Bay.Cory Lidle (11-10) allowed eight runs, six earned, on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Twins 3 Orioles 2
In Baltimore, Brian Roberts throwing error in the sixth inning allowed two runs to score, leading the Minnesota Twins over the Baltimore Orioles 3-2.
Brad Radke (8-9) went 6 1/3 innings for the win, allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk, before Eddie Guardado pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save. Doug Mientkiewicz had two hits and drove in a run for the Twins.
Reds’ Griffey, Hurler Dempster Undergo Surgery
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr. was back on the operating table for the second time in less than three weeks, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
The same cannot be said for Reds pitcher Ryan Dempster. Griffey underwent surgery Monday morning to repair a torn labrum and a 50 percent tear in the rotator cuff of his right shoulder.
He had been bothered by the injuries since April 5, when he suffered a dislocated right shoulder while diving for a ball.
Griffey had season-ending surgery to repair a torn peroneal tendon in his right ankle on July 18. “Junior’s prognosis is good,” said Reds trainer Mark Mann. “He’s going to have five to six months of intense rehabilitation, but we expect him to be 100 percent and ready for spring training.”
