CHICAGO, July 4 (UPI) -- A.J. Pierzynski scored the game-winning run on a ninth-inning balk by Aaron Crow Monday, sending the Chicago White Sox to a 5-4 win over Kansas City.
The Royals had forged a 4-4 tie in the top of ninth on a home run by Eric Hosmer that was upheld after a video review.
The White Sox came right back in the next half-inning when Pierzynski led off with a single, went to second on Gordon Beckham's sacrifice bunt and to third on wild pitch by Crow (2-2). Then, with Adam Dunn at the plate, home plate umpire Ed Rapuano ruled Crow made a balk move, awarding the game-winner to the White Sox in the first of a three-game series with the Royals.
The White Sox trailed 3-2 in the eighth when Dunn smacked a two-run homer to give Chicago a brief lead.
Sergio Santos (3-3) was credited with the win despite allowing Hosmer's home run. Chicago starter Mark Buehrle yielded three runs on seven hits over seven innings.
Jeff Francoeur belted a two-run homer in first inning for Kansas City.
