Royals power past White Sox 14-6

Whit Merrifield hit a 3-run homer and drove in a career-high 5 runs, and the Kansas City Royals pounded the Chicago White Sox 14-6 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Drew Butera had 4 of Kansas City's 16 hits, helping the Royals climb back over .500 at 59-58. Jorge Bonifacio hit his 15th homer, and Lorenzo Cain had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

Jason Vargas (14-6) worked six innings to match his career high for wins set in 2012 with Seattle. The left-hander allowed 3 runs and 6 hits, struck out 7 and walked 2.

Tim Anderson hit a 2-run homer for AL-worst Chicago, and Avisail Garcia added a 2-run double.

White Sox left-hander Derek Holland (6-12) lasted just two-plus innings in his shortest start of the year. He was charged with 7 runs and 7 hits.

The Royals won the last two games of the weekend set after dropping five in a row and 10 of 12. They remain in the mix for the second AL wild card.

Kansas City grabbed control with 4 runs in the second and 4 more in the third. Bonifacio led off the third with a drive to left and Merrifield made it 8-0 when he connected against Mike Pelfrey for his 14th homer.

Merrifield added a 2-run triple in the sixth, making it 12-3. The second baseman finished with 3 hits.

White Sox rookie Nicky Delmonico reached in his 12th straight game to begin his career, extending his team record. He also has a 10-game hitting streak.

He was hit by a pitch in the second and walked in the fourth. He also doubled home a run in the seventh.

Matt Davidson of the Sox said he is recovering from a bruised right wrist more slowly than expected and is still not able to swing a bat. Davidson had hoped to return this week against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. "We're going to re-evaluate in the next couple of days and go from there," he said. Davidson has been on the DL since being hit by a pitch by Toronto's Marcus Stroman on Aug. 1.