Afternoon Box Score: Royals Edge Sox

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 9, 2009 9:20PM

It was a pitchers' duel at U.S. Cellular Field and even a switched up top-of-the-order for the Sox couldn't produce any runs as Kansas City wrapped up the season-opening series with a 2-1 win over the Pale Hose. John Danks was outstanding, scattering three hits, striking out five, and shutting the Royals out over six innings of work. The Sox bullpen held but reliever Bobby Jenks gave up a two-run homer in the ninth to allow the Royals to pull ahead. Alberto Callaspo got a one-out double in the top of the ninth and then Coco Crisp homered off Jenks for the 2-0 lead. Carlos Quentin led off the Sox half of the ninth with a double and later scored on a Jermaine Dye ground-out. The Sox had a chance to tie the game with runners on first and second with two outs, but Wilson Betemit struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox fall to 1-2 on the young season and welcome the Minnesota Twins to town for a weekend series beginning tomorrow night; Jose Contreras is slated to start for the Sox.