Prized rookie Luis Robert hit his first game-ending homer, a three-run drive in the 10th inning that gave the Chicago White Sox a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
Dane Dunning threw five no-hit innings before being pulled from his second major league start, and the surging White Sox won for the 11th time in 13 games to move into a first-place tie with Cleveland in the AL Central.
Kansas City reliever Tyler Zuber (1-2) intentionally walked Jose Abreu to start the 10th, putting runners on first and second. James McCann struck out, but Robert drove the next pitch to left field for his ninth home run — tops among big league rookies.
The Royals wasted a solid start by rookie Kris Bubic and lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Bubic gave up two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old lefty struck out eight and walked two.
The Royals called up hard-throwing prospect Carlos Hernandez from their alternate site to boost their short-handed bullpen. The 23-year-old right-hander had never pitched above Class A. But with reliever Ian Kennedy (calf) hurt and Trevor Rosenthal traded to San Diego on Saturday, Kansas City needed help.
Manager Mike Matheny said C Salvador Perez continues to experience the discoloration in his vision that landed him on the injured list Aug. 21. … Matheny had no update on Kennedy, saying trainers were “still taking a look at everything” and “seeing how it looks this morning.” Kennedy was hurt fielding a grounder on Saturday, and Matheny said after that game a trip to the injured list was a possibility.
Royals: RHP Brad Keller (3-1, 2.08 ERA) looks to bounce back from his first loss as Kansas City hosts RHP Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.35) and the Cleveland Indians, 7:05.