Chicago, IL (Best E Casino) - John Buck and Billy Butler each homered and knocked in three runs as Kansas City routed Chicago, 9-1, in the second of a three-game series from U.S. Cellular Field.

Mike Aviles contributed a three-run double for the Royals, who snapped a two- game slide and won for the fourth time in six games.

Gil Meche (7-9) was brilliant in his start, earning the win by limiting the home team to two hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six while allowing only one walk.

Orlando Cabrera knocked in the lone run for the White Sox, who have dropped four of six and whose lead in the AL Central shrunk to a half-game after Minnesota routed Texas, 14-2. Joe Crede and Alexei Ramirez recorded the only hits in defeat.

Sox starter Gavin Floyd (10-6) took the loss, allowing four hits and three runs - only one earned -, fanning six and walking three over six innings. His bullpen ultimately failed the club, charged with five hits and six runs over the final three innings.

Kansas City led by two after seven, but locked up the game with an explosion of offense in its eighth at-bat. David DeJesus singled to start the frame against Boone Logan and Nick Masset got the nod.

Butler's two-run homer boosted the visitors to a 5-1 edge. Mark Grudzielanek followed with a base hit and moved up on a wild pitch. Alex Gordon walked then Adam Russell entered for Masset. He got Ross Gload on a fly out, but allowed an RBI single to Buck which pushed the Royals' lead to five.

Joey Gathright walked to load the bases but Mark Teahen popped weakly to second. That set up Aviles, who cleared the bases and gave KC a 9-1 advantage.

Ramon Ramirez shut down the Sox in the home eighth, then Horacio Ramirez completed the rout with a scoreless ninth.

Both Meche and Floyd matched each other through the first four innings, allowing only one hit apiece.

The Royals broke open the scoreless deadlock in the fifth. Gload reached base on a fielding error by Crede, then Buck launched a two-run shot to left field. Gathright singled, stole second, advanced on a groundout and crossed the plate when Butler singled with two down.

Ramirez tripled with one out in the home sixth, and scored when Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly.

Game Notes

The Royals last won on the road against the White Sox on September 25, 2007, a span of seven games. Chicago has won six of the eight meetings this season, however.