Royals knock Sox off with incredible 7-run 9th

KANSAS CITY — Rookie Brett Eibner lashed a single to right off White Sox reliever Tommy Kahnle, scoring Drew Butera to cap an incredible seven-run rally in the ninth and give the Royals an 8-7 walk-off win on Saturday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Eibner made his Major League debut on Friday in a come-from-behind win. Kansas City knocked Chicago from its perch atop the American League Central as both now sit a half-game back of first-place Cleveland. The White Sox had held the top spot since April 22 and their largest lead was five games.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Eibner said after collecting his first Major League RBI and walk-off win. “I didn’t think I could beat yesterday. I don’t think I could draw it up any better on Day 2.”

Chicago’s bullpen surrendered a 5-1 lead on Friday in a 7-5 loss.

“It was one of the craziest regular-season games I’ve played in,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said.

This time White Sox manager Robin Ventura turned to closer David Robertson to start the ninth with a 7-1 lead. But Robertson gave up six runs. Whit Merrifield had a two-run single in the inning, and Butera tied the game with an RBI double.

“It was a terrible performance on my part,” Robertson said.

Butera was only in the game replacing All-Star catcher Salvador Perez. After a collision last Sunday in Chicago between Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas while chasing a foul fly landed both on the disabled list, Perez had to be helped off the field after colliding with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert while also chasing a foul pop.

Tyler Saladino belted a three-run homer and Avisail Garcia also homered for the White Sox.

Left-hander Carlos Rodon wobbled at times, but he got through five innings while giving up …

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