Nothing to do but mull it
To put an ugly 9-1 loss to lowly Kansas City in terms most can understand, the White Sox suffered a bad hair day Saturday.
A really bad, winds-gusting-30 mph hair day.
The bad hair day came on mullet night at U.S. Cellular, where 36,566 let out their frustration on reliever Nick Masset while watching the White Sox' lead in the American League Central nearly slip away.
There were no such problems - hair or otherwise- in Minnesota. The Twins clubbed Texas 14-2 to pull within a half-game of the White Sox, who have been up on top of the division since May 17.
"I worry about Kansas City and (starting pitcher Brian) Bannister tomorrow," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We can not worry about anybody else. This is a tough division, real hard to take a good lead."
The Royals won for the first time this year at U.S. Cellular, snapping a six-game losing streak in Chicago. They shuffled their lineup, moving Mark Teahan into the leadoff spot and David DeJesus to the third hole.
It didn't do much good for Teahan, who went 0-for-5 with 3 strikeouts. The rest of the lineup gave the White Sox fits.
Designated hitter Billy Butler homered and drove in 3 runs, giving him 7 RBI in the series. Every other starter except Mike Aviles scored a run, and Aviles provided the final damage with a bases-clearing double in the Royals' 6-run eighth inning.
Masset allowed 3 runs without retiring a batter. Adam Russell gave up 2 runs.
"Those guys in the middle of the bullpen have to step it and do a better job," Guillen said.
Starter Gavin Floyd (10-6) only allowed 1 earned run and 4 hits in 6 innings. Floyd and Gil Meche were locked in a scoreless game through four innings.
Joe Crede's 19th error of the season contributed to a 3-run Royals fifth. John Buck delivered the big blow with a 2-run home run.
"I thought that was the right pitch, maybe a bad location," Floyd said.
The White Sox managed just 2 hits and 1 run against Meche (7-9). Alexei Ramirez tripled in the sixth and scored the only run.
"That was as good as we've seen him since he's been a Royal," said Paul Konerko, who went 0-for-3. "He's got a big-league arm and tonight he put it together."
The Twins also are putting together quite a charge in the AL Central, now with wins in 21 of their last 27 games.
Still, the White Sox say it's too early to be concerned.
"It will be tight the whole way," Konerko said. "There will be a lot of momentum swings. There's enough games left that there's going to be hot steaks and cold streaks. We're not there yet where it's come in and watch the TV after the game."