KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Alex Rios slammed a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning Tuesday and the Chicago White Sox kept pace in the playoff race with a 3-2 win over Kansas City.
With the game tied 2-2 and one out in the seventh, Rios crushed a 3-0 pitch from Royals starter Luke Hochevar (8-14) down the left-field line for a long homer.
Alejandro De Aza and Gordon Beckham also supplied bases-empty clouts for the American League Central-leading White Sox, who maintained a three-game lead over second-place Detroit with the win.
The Tigers bested Oakland 12-2 earlier Tuesday.
Gavin Floyd (10-10) earned the win with seven innings of two-run ball, yielding five hits while walking one and striking out three.
Matt Thornton tossed 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings and Addison Reed recorded the final two outs for his 28th save.
Hochevar ended up allowing three runs on seven hits over seven full frames for the Royals, who dropped the opener of a three-game series.
Billy Butler drove in both Kansas City runs.
