White Sox blow six-run lead in ninth, lose to Royals
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With closer David Robertson on the mound to start the ninth, the Chicago White Sox blew a six-run lead over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, and lost on a walk-off single by rookie Brett Eibner.
Eibner, who was making his major league debut, stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in a tie game, and drilled a Tommy Kahnle fastball to right for the game’s winning hit.
It capped a 2-for-5 day at the plate.
Robertson struck out Paulo Orlando to start the inning, then allowed a single to Cheslor Cuthbert, a double to Eibner and two straight walks to let in his first run. Then, two more came across on an infield single that deflected off Robertson, one scored on a fielder’s choice, and Eric Hosmer doubled home two. At that point, Robertson was lifted from a 7–6 game for Kahnle.
Drew Butera’s double to left tied it, and after a pair of intentional walks, Eibner’s single won it.
Kansas City moves to 25–22, and Chicago stands at 27–22.
– Kenny Ducey