GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In five starts against the White Sox during the 2011 season, Royals southpaw Bruce Chen allowed just seven earned runs over 33 1/3 innings.
The White Sox surpassed that run total against Chen in less than five innings during Thursday's 16-4 Cactus League victory over Kansas City. It was the South Siders' fourth win in their last five games, raising their record to 7-11, and also left them with 26 runs scored over their last two games. The Royals slipped to 11-8.
Chen was knocked around for 10 runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings, including three home runs, albeit during a Spring Training contest in the warmth of Arizona. Two of those homers came off the bat of Adam Dunn, whose four Cactus League long balls put him tied for the top spot.
Dunn took Chen deep in the first, lofting a 3-2 pitch out to left-center that barely eluded the leaping attempt of Jason Bourgeois, and scored Paul Konerko in front of him to complete a four-run frame. Dunn then hit a towering grand slam down the right-field line in a six-run fifth, scoring Alejandro De Aza, Brent Lillibridge and pinch-runner Mark Haddow. A.J. Pierzynski followed with a solo shot to end Chen's afternoon.
Zach Stewart earned the start, with Jake Peavy working 6 1/3 innings against the Rangers' Triple-A squad on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. The White Sox long relief candidate yielded two runs on six hits over five innings.
Billy Butler led Kansas City's offensive attack with two hits, including a home run off Stewart.
Chicago's Alex Rios and Eduardo Escobar had two hits apiece, standing behind Dunn's big afternoon.
"I was feeling good. I'm feeling good all spring," Dunn said. "The main thing is getting my work done and seeing the ball. I'm seeing it well."
Up next: Gavin Floyd has pitched four times since Cactus League action began, but only one of those starts has taken place in an actual Cactus League game. Friday night's game against the D-backs at Camelback Ranch, set for a first pitch of 9:05 p.m. CT and to be broadcast on MLB.TV, marks Floyd's second official start. He will go five innings or 78 pitches.
Part of the White Sox squad also makes the trip to Tucson earlier Friday to take on the Dodgers for a 3:05 p.m. start. This Pima County charity baseball game will be played at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium (formerly Tucson Electric Park), and all proceeds from the contest will benefit the Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation. The red-hot Dunn, Alexei Ramirez, Brent Morel and Dayan Viciedo are just some of the players making the trip to Tucson, while Paul Konerko, Rios, Pierzynski and Gordon Beckham will be in the night game lineup.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.




