Aug 17, 2006, 3:15 GMT
Chicago, IL - Mark Grudzielanek hit a three-run homer as the Kansas City Royals downed the Chicago White Sox, 10-4, in the third leg of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.
Grudzielanek, who before the game was awarded a one-year contract through the 2007 season, went 3-for-5 with four RBI and Ryan Shealy had a two-run homer for the Royals, who have won two straight after dropping their previous five games.
'I'm glad he signed the contract,' said Royals manager Buddy Bell. 'He had a heck of a night. He got the business things out of the way early. Then he took care of business on the field.'
Adam Bernero (1-0) pitched the first six innings and gave up five hits with six strikeouts to pick up the win.
'He pitched a heck of a ball game.' said Bell. 'I don't remember his mound presence being as good in the past. He really acted like he belonged out there.'
Alex Cintron hit his first career grand slam and Jose Contreras (11-5) was charged with the loss, giving up seven runs on 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings for the White Sox, who have dropped their past two games after a five-game winning streak.
The Royals took control of the game with six runs in the third inning. Grudzielanek got the scoring started when he belted a three-run homer over the left field wall. A batter later, Emil Brown doubled and Reggie Sanders followed with a ground-rule double to plate Brown. Shealy then smacked the first pitch he saw into the left field stands to make it a 6-0 game.
Kansas City tacked on another run in the fourth when Grudzielanek drove a triple down the right field line to score Joey Gathright for a 7-0 lead.
The White Sox, meanwhile, struggled to get runners into scoring position. They finally threatened in the sixth when they had runners at second and third with two outs, but A.J. Pierzynski struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Royals continued to pour it on and added another three runs in the eighth inning. Angel Berroa led off with a double and Gathright followed with a walk. A wild pitch by Neal Cotts moved both the runners up and David DeJesus brought them both home with a single to right. After Grudzielanek flied out, Mark Teahen doubled to score DeJesus for a 10-0 lead.
Chicago got on the board in the ninth when Cintron hit a grand slam. Scott Dohmann then gave up a single to Rob Mackowiak, but got the final two batters out to end the game.
Game Notes
It was the ninth grand slam for the White Sox this season and set a new single-season franchise record.Cintron's four RBI matched a career-high. Contreras fell to 7-1 lifetime against the Royals.Bernero improved to 2-3 in his nine games, six starts, against the White Sox.Chicago has won nine of 15 from the Royals this season and is 46-25 in the series since the start of the 2003 campaign.Both teams left seven men on base.Grudzielanek committed just his third error of the season.Gathright stole his 17th base of the season.
It was the ninth grand slam for the White Sox this season and set a new single-season franchise record.
Cintron's four RBI matched a career-high.
Contreras fell to 7-1 lifetime against the Royals.
Bernero improved to 2-3 in his nine games, six starts, against the White Sox.
Chicago has won nine of 15 from the Royals this season and is 46-25 in the series since the start of the 2003 campaign.
Both teams left seven men on base.
Grudzielanek committed just his third error of the season.
Gathright stole his 17th base of the season.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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