Sox victory begins with Lillibridge homer

CHICAGO — Brent Lillibridge hit a three-run homer, John Danks pitched six strong innings and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Sunday.

Paul Konerko added three hits for the Sox (60-60), who have won eight of 10 to reach .500. Alexei Ramirez had two hits and scored twice.

Chicago improved its abysmal home record to 26-33 and moved within four games of AL Central-leading Detroit, which lost 8-5 at Baltimore. The White Sox won consecutive games in a single series at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time since June 21 and 22 against the Cubs.

Danks (5-9) allowed two runs and four hits, struck out six and walked four, improving to 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in his last nine starts. The left-hander lost his first eight decisions of the season.

Jeff Francis (4-13) lasted just 3 2-3 innings for Kansas City, which has lost six of seven. Top prospect Mike Moustakas went 0 for 3 and is 0 for 34 this season against Chicago.

The White Sox jumped on Francis in the first inning. Ramirez was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to third on Konerko’s single. Carlos Quentin then hit an RBI single and Lillibridge drove a 1-2 fastball over the wall in left for his 10th homer.

Danks was working on a no-hitter before Billy Butler reached on a bad-hop single with two out in the sixth. Butler’s roller down the first-base line hopped up and past Lillibridge. Official scorer Bob Rosenberg originally ruled the play an error, but the call was quickly changed to a hit.

Jeff Francoeur followed with a double down the left-field line and Mitch Maier had a two-run single to cut the White Sox lead to 6-2.

The White Sox, who haven’t been above .500 since April 15, open an important three-game series against second-place Cleveland on Tuesday. They are 6-1 against the Tribe this year.