Sox avoid century mark with win

Rookie Erik Johnson was cruising through the first four innings Saturday, holding the Kansas City Royals without a hit.

But that ended with one out in the fifth when Mike Moustakas homered. Johnson didn’t finish the sixth, giving up another two-run homer to Billy Butler.

But the game ended in a 6-5 White Sox victory for Johnson — and an assurance that the Sox will avoid a 100-loss season.

Johnson improved to 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA while Addison Reed earned his 40th save, tying him with Bobby Jenks (2007) for fourth most in a season.

Giveaway days

Terrible defense is the element manager Robin Ventura hated the most about the season.

“You have to be able to catch the ball,’’ he said. ‘‘By not being able to play the way we wanted to defensively, you put more pressure on the defense and the offense because you’re giving away outs.

“We have to have more of the mind-set of taking away outs. This year we were giving away outs and giving away runs.’’

Motown muscle

Ventura likes the Detroit Tigers’ chances in the postseason because of the strength of their offense.

“Offensively, they’re the best team we have faced, and we get to see them quite a bit,’’ he said. “They’re a tough lineup to get through, and I think if Miguel Cabrera is healthy, that becomes a big issue for them.’’

Misfired

A play during Friday’s game when the scoreboard crew mistakenly thought Alexei Ramirez hit a home run and set off fireworks was still a topic Saturday.

Left fielder Alex Gordon went up the fence but had the ball in his glove as he came away while looking as if it had cleared the fence.

“What I saw was him jump on the fence and then come down off the fence and catch the ball — and the fireworks and the organ playing,’’ Ventura said with a smile. “I wasn’t fooled by it. I wasn’t in charge of the fireworks. I know you probably think that, but we don’t have a button here for the fireworks, and we don’t have an organ either.’’