With Escobar back leading off, Royals beat White Sox in 10 innings, 5-3

CHICAGO _ After experimenting for three weeks, at least theoretically, with the statistically optimal lineup, the Royals appear prepared to return to October with the same leadoff man they utilized en route to last season’s World Series. Alcides Escobar swings too often and reaches base too rarely to be considered an ideal table-setter, but Kansas City views him as something of a talisman for their offense.tmpplchld The approach flies in the face of the data, which suggests a more patient, productive hitter like Ben Zobrist or Alex Gordon belong in that spot. Manager Ned Yost is unlikely to deviate from the lineup configuration that the team used on the way to a runaway lead in the American League Central earlier this summer, and the lineup he returned to in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory in 10 innings over the White Sox.tmpplchld The decisive blow was struck by Eric Hosmer in the final frame. He rocketed a two-run homer off White Sox closer David Robertson to snap a deadlock. But the most lasting effect of this game, if Yost decides not to deviate from the formula, is the alignment of the lineup.tmpplchld Escobar did little to aid the offense. He made three outs, reached on a pair of Chicago errors and failed to run to first base after a strikeout in his last at-bat. But _ and this point is critical to the Royals and Yost _ the team won. Gordon hit his first home run in two weeks. Mike Moustakas delivered a two-run shot in the sixth.tmpplchld Edinson Volquez limited the White Sox to one run in six innings. The bullpen frittered away the certainty of his victory.tmpplchld Luke Hochevar gave up a solo homer to Chicago slugger Jose Abreu in the seventh. With his defenders struggling behind him, Kelvin Herrera let the White Sox tie the game in the eighth. After Moustakas could not corral a grounder by fellow third baseman Mike Olt, pinch-runner Tyler Saladino stole second and reached third on a throwing error by catcher Salvador Perez.tmpplchld To the plate came Chicago catcher Tyler Flowers, who had already collected three hits on the day. He unleashed a drive toward right field. Drifting toward the wall was Paulo Orlando, who had just replaced Alex Rios as a theoretical defensive upgrade. Orlando ran a banana-shaped route to the warning track, where Flowers’ wind-aided ball landed behind him and bounced into the Kansas City bullpen for a game-tying double.tmpplchld But Hosmer came through in the 10th, which allowed Kansas City to still maintain hope for home-field advantage. They effectively trail Toronto (92-66) by two games with four to play, as the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker over the Royals.tmpplchld On the afternoon of Sept. 7, Yost called Escobar into his office and informed Escobar he was no longer the leadoff hitter. The production of Escobar merited a demotion. At that moment, he carried a .299 on-base percentage, with a mere .502 on-base plus slugging percentage since the All-Star break.tmpplchld The Royals lost that night. They lost two nights later. The losing never ceased as the month continued, with an 8-13 record since Sept. 7 heading into Wednesday. On Sunday, Yost gave Zobrist the day off and let Escobar lead off. The Royals won. Yost noticed.tmpplchld The team’s greatest difficult in September involved the pitching staff. But Yost noted the recent slumps of Zobrist and Gordon. Zobrist entered Wednesday hitting .240 for the month, while Gordon was hitting .244.tmpplchld “It’s a mystery,” Yost said, adding, “There’s just a chemistry of a lineup that numbers can’t define. And this just must be one of those things.”tmpplchld After conversations with the front office and his coaching staff, Yost returned Escobar to the No. 1 hole. Gordon fell to eighth in the lineup. It was his first time batting there since Sept. 8, 2010.tmpplchld The new arrangement paid dividends in Gordon’s first at-bat. He came to the plate with his team down a run. Volquez gave up six singles in the first two innings, but controlled the damage to just an RBI single in the second.tmpplchld Gordon worked the count full against White Sox southpaw Jose Quintana. He clobbered a 92-mph fastball for his 13th home run of the season and his second since returning from the disabled list in September.tmpplchld A two-out walk by Kendrys Morales opened the door for Moustakas in the sixth. He bashed a curveball over the right-field fence to give Kansas City the lead.tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)tmpplchld Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld