KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Pratto homered and Brad Keller won for the first time in nearly a month as the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 9-1 on Wednesday night.
Keller (3-3), who leads the majors with 32 walks allowed, got into immediate trouble walking the first two batters he faced, but escaped first-inning damage with a double play and strikeout.
Gavin Sheets walked to lead off the second and scored on Hanser Alberto’s single to left for the White Sox lone run off Keller.
Keller finished five innings, allowing one run on three hits and four walks, striking out four to earn his first win since April 12.
The Royals batted around in the first, collecting six hits, including Pratto’s two-out RBI single, grabbing a 4-0 lead while forcing Lance Lynn (1-5) to toss 37 pitches in the inning.
Lynn surrendered seven runs on nine hits two walks, fanning four over five innings.
Pratto’s homer, a two-run shot to right, gave Kansas City a 7-1 lead in the fifth.
Michael Massey opened the fourth with his first home run of the season and Edward Olivares opened the seventh with his third homer. Massey and Vinnie Pasquantino each produced three hits.
Four Royals relievers fanned seven over four scoreless innings.
Chicago had six hits, all singles. Luis Robert Jr. struck out four times, snapping an eight-game hitting streak.
