Giolito pitches, Garcia hits White Sox past Royals

CHICAGO — Rookie righthander Lucas Giolito pitched seven strong innings and Avisail Garcia drove in three runs with his 18th homer and a double to lead the Chicago White Sox past the fading Kansas City Royals 8-1 on Sunday.

Kevan Smith had a solo homer and a single for two RBIs as Chicago took two of three from the Royals and dropped them 5½ games behind Minnesota for the second AL wild card. Kansas City has seven games left. Lorenzo Cain’s homer in the fourth was the only run off Giolito (3-3).

One of the top prospects for the rebuilding White Sox, the 23-yearold Giolito allowed five hits while striking out five and walking none in his 11th career start. He has given up just four runs over 20 innings in his last three outings.

Royals starter Ian Kennedy (4-13) allowed five runs in 51 innings as he lost his seventh straight decision. The right-hander hasn’t won since July 26 at Detroit.

Chicago’s Tim Anderson singled twice to extend his career-high hitting streak to 15 games.

Garcia hit a two-run shot to right-center in the first to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.

Cain led off the fourth a drive into the bullpen in left to cut it to 2-1, but Smith lofted a solo shot in the bottom half.

Yolmer Sanchez doubled home Adam Engel in the fifth to make it 4-1. Smith singled in Anderson from second in the sixth.

The White Sox broke it open with three runs in the seventh. Garcia’s double to the corner in right drove in the first one. Mike Moustakas’ error at third base allowed two more to score.