KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Despite a three-game lead in the American League Central after an emotional victory over rival Detroit, Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura insists his team isn't overlooking Kansas City on Tuesday night in the first game of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
"You can take positives from it, but you cannot take the Royals for granted," Ventura said. "They’ve played us well. We realize the position we’re in, but if you let down, what you did in the last four days gets washed away.
"You look at energy level and effort. What (Alex) Rios did yesterday effort-wise, that’s what you’re looking for. That’s all you can really ask of them. Whether you get a hit to win a game is one thing, but effort is what you’re looking for."
Alejandro De Aza, returning after a 2-for-21 slump,Nike Air Max 95 hit a leadoff home run. But the Royals quickly erased that when Billy Butler hit a two-run single in the bottom of the first off Gavin Floyd for a 2-1 lead with two out in the top of the fourth.
After allowing the home run, Luke Hochevar retired 10 consecutive batters.
It won't get any easier for the Sox after Tuesday, as Kansas City adjusted their rotation so that left-hander Bruce Chen will start on Wednesday night and Jeremy Guthrie, who hasn't allowed an earned run against the Sox in 23 2/3 innings, will start Thursday night.
Luis Mendoza was scratched from Wednesday night's start because of strep throat.
"You can take positives from it, but you cannot take the Royals for granted," Ventura said. "They’ve played us well. We realize the position we’re in, but if you let down, what you did in the last four days gets washed away.
"You look at energy level and effort. What (Alex) Rios did yesterday effort-wise, that’s what you’re looking for. That’s all you can really ask of them. Whether you get a hit to win a game is one thing, but effort is what you’re looking for."
Alejandro De Aza, returning after a 2-for-21 slump,Nike Air Max 95 hit a leadoff home run. But the Royals quickly erased that when Billy Butler hit a two-run single in the bottom of the first off Gavin Floyd for a 2-1 lead with two out in the top of the fourth.
After allowing the home run, Luke Hochevar retired 10 consecutive batters.
It won't get any easier for the Sox after Tuesday, as Kansas City adjusted their rotation so that left-hander Bruce Chen will start on Wednesday night and Jeremy Guthrie, who hasn't allowed an earned run against the Sox in 23 2/3 innings, will start Thursday night.
Luis Mendoza was scratched from Wednesday night's start because of strep throat.
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