ChiSox rally late, but fall to Royals

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08/22/2007 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Billy Butler homered and knocked in three runs and Brian Bannister pitched into the seventh inning as the Kansas City Royals withstood a ninth-inning Chicago rally to beat the White Sox, 7-6, in the finale of a three-game set.

Paul Konerko took Jimmy Gobble deep in the eighth inning to bring Chicago within 7-3 and Josh Fields connected on a three-run shot off Joakim Soria with two outs in the ninth to make it a one-run game.

Jim Thome followed with a single to left, bringing the winning run to the plate in the form of Konerko. Soria, however, struck out the White Sox first baseman to seal the win.

David DeJesus went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Royals, who ended a three-game skid.

Bannister (10-7) gave up just two runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking two.

White Sox starter Jose Contreras (6-16) was tagged for four runs on six hits over six innings of work.

Chicago was looking for its first series sweep at home since August 11-13, 2006 against the Tigers.

Contreras hit Mark Grudzielanek on top of his head with one out in the first and DeJesus' single put runners on the corners. Butler's sacrifice fly brought home one run before DeJesus stole second and scored on Ross Gload's two-out single.

Chicago answered in the home half of the first with back-to-back, two-out RBI singles by Darin Erstad and Jermaine Dye, but the Royals came right back with two more runs in the second.

With two outs and nobody on base, Jason LaRue walked and Joey Gathright bounced a single to center. Grudzielanek and DeJesus followed with two straight RBI singles that put Kansas City up 4-2.

DeJesus then reached base with two outs in the seventh on a bunt single and Butler followed with his fifth homer of the year for a four-run Royals advantage.

Kansas City tacked on what proved to be a much needed insurance run in the eighth as Chicago catcher Toby Hall's errant throw on Alex Gordon's steal attempt allowed Emil Brown to easily score from third.

Game Notes

Before the game, Kansas City placed starting pitcher Odalis Perez on the 15- day disabled list and recalled outfielder Shane Costa from Triple-A Omaha...Konerko's home run gave him 25 for the season...Attendance was 31,739.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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