Chicago White Sox salvage split with 2-0 win over Royals in Game 2

Jerry Reinsdorf strolled into the elevator leading down to the ground floor at U.S. Cellular Field late Friday night, and the White Sox' chairman had a rather pained expression on his face.

"We just can't score runs," Reinsdorf said.

The Sox' offense was baffling in the first half of the season and hit the all-star break with the fewest runs scored (272) in the major leagues.

Opening up the second half Friday with a day/night doubleheader against the AL Central leading Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox' bats were largely silent again.

The Sox scored 2 runs in Game 1 and 2 runs in Game 2.

Thanks to continued solid pitching, they were fortunate to salvage a split with the Royals.

The White Sox lost Game 1 4-2 and won the nightcap 2-0.

"The goal is really to be as shortsighted as possible, win every game and see where we are when it's all said and done," said Game 2 starter John Danks, who allowed 4 hits over 6 innings and combined with relievers Jake Petricka, Zach Duke and David Robertson for the shutout. "Certainly in the situation we're in, it's a good opportunity for us playing one of the teams ahead of us."

Tyler Flowers put the Sox in front in Game 2 with an RBI single in the second inning. Melky Cabrera came home from third base on a wild pitch in the sixth inning to complete the scoring.

The Sox (42-46) are still in a tough spot, but they've won 10 of their last 14.

"I don't think you look at that," Flowers said.

"We've got a good feel, a good attitude going on and we have for the last month or so. Just stay focused on that. It's hard not to look at results and dwell on that, but the reality is you've got to approach each pitch, each play, each at-bat and see where the cards fall later on."

With temperatures in the 90s in Game 1, the White Sox' offense showed more of their first half struggles, going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and leaving 7 runners on base in a 4-2 loss.

"We got a couple in there but you didn't get the ones you needed with a guy on base," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.

The Sox offense struggled to get to Royals starter Chris Young. Young surrendered 3 hits - 2 being solo home runs by Adam Eaton and Geovany Soto - in 5 innings of work.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth with one out, Avisail Garcia singled and Adam LaRoche doubled to advance Garcia to third. However, Alexei Ramirez and Soto hit back-to-back grounders to Kansas City reliever Ryan Madson to end the threat.

"Yeah, you kick yourself when you get those missed opportunities," Ventura said. "We had second and third there a couple of times and didn't cash in at all."

The Royals scored consecutive runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-2 lead, including a solo home run for former White Sox outfielder Alex Rios off starter Jeff Samardzija.

It was the second home run of the season for Rios, whose first home run of the year came off Sox pitcher Kyle Drabek on Opening Day.

Samardzija (6-5), who took the loss, also surrendered a home run to Mike Moustakas. Moustakas worked a full count, and hit a home run to center field after a 12-pitch at bat.

"They have a great approach at the plate," said Samardzija, who surrendered 7 hits and allowed 4 earned runs in seven innings of work. "I have to tip my hat to Moustakas. He was a tough out today."

• Andy Martinez contributed to this report.