CHICAGO (AP)– Lorenzo Cain was hoping someone on his team would hit a home run to end the marathon game. He wound up taking matters into his own hands.
Cain homered in the 13th inning and the Kansas City Royals outlasted the Chicago White Sox 7-6 Saturday in a game that took nearly five hours.
The AL Central-leading Royals won for the 10th time in 13 games.
“I ended up doing it and helping everybody get out of here and move on to tomorrow. It was well needed, well needed,” Cain said.
Cain doubled and singled early, then led off the 13th with his ninth home run of the season. He connected against Dan Jennings (1-3).
The teams endured the long game after they split a day-night doubleheader Friday.
“We hung in there,” Cain said. “I know both teams are tired after yesterday and then coming here this morning to play another day game, so it’s definitely not easy for each team. But we found a way to come out here, play great baseball. It took a while, but we ended up getting the win.”
Brandon Finnegan (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings in the four-hour, 56-minute game.
Ryan Madson earned his first save in three chances — and first since 2011 — after allowing a single in the 13th.
“That game took a toll on both teams’ bullpens, so it was really important to try to squeak this one out,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.
The Royals finished with 17 hits, including five doubles, and improved to 5-1 in extra-inning games.
The White Sox tied it in the ninth on a two-out, two-run double by J.B. Shuck. Royals closer Greg Holland retired the first two batters before Adam LaRoche singled and Alexei Ramirez walked. Shuck’s hit handed Holland his third blown save in 23 opportunities.
“There were several pitches I didn’t execute very well, which is inexcusable,” Holland said. “I got to be better than that.”
In the 10th, Cain walked and advanced on a wild pitch but was doubled off second on a lineout.
Geovany Soto just missed a home run when he doubled off the center-field wall in the White Sox 12th.
“We were behind all day and we seemed to just chip away,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “We couldn’t find that one to go ahead.”
Mike Moustakas’ sacrifice fly gave the Royals the lead in the eighth. After an intentional walk to Cain, Zach Duke struck out Eric Hosmer before Kendrys Morales drew a bases-loaded walk to score another run.
Ramirez hit a solo homer in the seventh that made it 4-all.
The Royals opened the game with four consecutive hits off Jose Quintana to score two runs. They held a three-run lead before Chicago batted.
“That’s our team,” Yost said. “We’re an aggressive team. Putting three runs on the board early was key because Quintana settled down after that.”
