Rodon backed by big knocks in win over KC

CHICAGO — Time is running short on the defending World Series champions.

The Royals, desperately needing a winning road trip, lost their second straight by dropping a 7-2 decision to the White Sox on Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field. White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon gave up six hits and one earned run through six innings while striking out a season-high nine.

The Royals, now 2-2 on this trip, remained four games back of the Orioles and Tigers, who are tied for the second spot in the American League Wild Card standings.

Adam Eaton had two doubles and two runs scored for the White Sox, while Tyler Saladino had three hits and two RBIs.

“Good, fundamental baseball always helps,” Eaton said. “It’s something that I think we’ve consistently lacked this year, but it was good tonight, for sure. Saladino had a heck of a game, adding on there late and getting on base, doing what he does. It’s good. If we play some defense behind our pitchers, we’re a good team.”

Right-hander Yordano Ventura made it through seven innings for the Royals, giving up four earned runs and 10 hits.

“Overall, I felt pretty good,” Ventura said through interpreter Pedro Grifol. “That one inning [fifth] got away from me. I got out of my approach. But I felt good. My goal was to keep the team [close] to win a ballgame.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDIn the zone: Rodon’s pitch count (116) got a little high, but he recorded his seventh straight quality start, dominating from the second through fifth innings and working out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. Manager Robin Ventura gave Rodon a chance to work out of that situation and it paid off. Rodon ended …

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