ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — The crowd chanted Paul Konerko’s name, and he received several standing ovations throughout the night.
The White Sox slugger just wants to soak it all in the next few days. Then he’ll head into retirement.
Konerko has two more games after Chicago lost 3-1 to Kansas City on Friday, sending the Royals to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years.
“It’s like you don’t want it to end, you want it to keep going,” he said. “But at the same time it is uncomfortable to play games underneath where everything on the (scoreboard) is about you, and everything going on is about you. So I’m kind of looking forward getting on the other side of it, but I’m trying to soak every last bit of it in while I’m doing it. So it’s kind of that balance.”
Konerko began his farewell weekend by going 0 for 4 after sitting out the previous game.
On Saturday, he will be honored before the game. And he is expected to be in the lineup one last time on Sunday, when his 16-year run with the White Sox and 18-year career ends.
The Royals, meanwhile, can turn their attention toward bigger goals.
They got seven scoreless innings from Jeremy Guthrie while securing at least a wild card, ending the longest active postseason drought among the major North American sports leagues. The last time the Royals made it to the playoffs, George Brett led Kansas City to a World Series victory over St. Louis in 1985.
“I’m proud to bring this organization something they envisioned when they drafted me,” said Billy Butler, a 2004 draft pick and eight-year veteran.
Small-market Kansas City endured more than its share of losing in recent years. But it contended into September last season and kicked down the playoff door on Friday.
The celebration started right after catcher Salvador Perez squeezed Michael Taylor’s foul popup for the final out. The Royals mobbed Perez near the plate, with the dugout and bullpen quickly joining the party.
A large contingent of Kansas City fans crowded near the visitors’ dugout, and players tossed black and white playoff caps to them before walking off the field.
With Detroit losing to Minnesota, Kansas City trails the Tigers by a game in the AL Central with two to play. If they are tied after Sunday, the teams will play game No. 163 at Detroit on Monday to determine the division winner.
Kansas City also maintained a one-game lead in the wild-card standings over Oakland, which won 6-2 at Texas.
Guthrie (13-11) could not have been much better, pitching four-hit ball while winning his third straight start. He struck out six and walked one.
The White Sox scored in the eighth against Wade Davis. Adam Eaton tripled with one out and came around on Alexei Ramirez’s single. But Jose Abreu and Conor Gillaspie struck out to end the inning.
Greg Holland worked the ninth for his 46th save in 48 chances.
Alcides Escobar had two hits, including a leadoff single in Kansas City’s three-run first against Hector Noesi, and the Royals won for the fifth time in six games.
Noesi (8-12) settled down, allowing six hits in six innings after it looked as if he might get knocked out early.
Konerko sees some similarities between these Royals and Chicago’s 2005 championship team with its pitching and timely hitting.
“I think they have a real good shot to go a long ways,” he said. “Good for them. Enjoy it. I’m happy for those guys.”
TRAINER’S ROOM:
Royals: There was no further update on INF Christian Colon, who is recovering from a broken middle finger on his right hand. It’s not clear if he will be on the postseason roster.
White Sox: Reliever Nate Jones is confident he will make a full recovery after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in July. Jones expects to start throwing a week before Thanksgiving. Jones also had back surgery in May. … The White Sox held OF Avisail Garcia out of the lineup for precautionary reasons after he left Thursday’s game because of a stiff lower back. Manager Robin Ventura expects him to be ready to play Saturday.
UP NEXT:
LHP Danny Duffy (9-11, 2.32 ERA) starts Saturday for Kansas City, with LHP John Danks (10-11, 4.82 ERA) pitching for Chicago.
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