Valentin Goes on Power Trip

Jose Valentin hit three home runs in the first five innings, and there were plenty of other Chicago White Sox players doing serious damage too.

Paul Konerko hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs and the White Sox routed the Kansas City Royals, 15-4, Wednesday night.

Chicago set season highs for runs, hits (19) and home runs (six).

“It was one of those days where you see pitches to hit and you don’t miss them,” Valentin said. “I didn’t try to hit three out, but it happened. It was a great game for me.”

The White Sox won their third in a row and improved to a league-best 11-2 since the All-Star break. They pulled within two games of the Central Division-leading Royals, the closest they’ve been to first place since April 8.

Valentin hit a solo home run in the second inning and a three-run home run in the third, both batting left-handed against starter Runelvys Hernandez.

Valentin homered right-handed to lead off the fifth against Jeremy Affeldt. It was only his second right-handed home run this season.

It was the second three-homer game of Valentin’s career. His first was April 3, 1998, while with Milwaukee at Florida. It was the third time in his career he has homered from both sides of the plate.

Valentin became the first White Sox player to hit three home runs in a game since Frank Thomas on Sept. 15, 1996, at Boston.

Valentin is the 10th player to hit three homers in a game this season. Bill Mueller did it for Boston on Tuesday night.

Jon Garland (8-7) was the benefactor of Chicago’s big bats, pitching six innings.

“Garland settled down after we took the lead and pretty much dominated them,” Manuel said.

The Royals led, 4-1, after two innings. Raul Ibanez and Ken Harvey drove in runs in the first, and Mike DiFelice doubled home Michael Tucker in the second inning before scoring on Aaron Guiel’s single.