Contreras shuts down Royals

KANSAS CITY — Jim Thome hit two home runs, Jose Contreras threw a five-hitter and the Chicago White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-0 on Wednesday night.

Thome hit a home run with one out in the third and leading off the fifth, bringing his career total to 502 and his season total to 30. Thome, who had 36 home runs in 141 games against the Royals, has hit 30 or more home runs in 11 of the past 12 years.

It was Thome’s 40th career multiple home run game. His last one was Aug. 18 at Seattle.

Contreras (10-16) held the Royals to one hit, a Billy Butler second inning single, in the first five innings. He did not allow a runner to reach second until Jason LaRue’s one-out double in the sixth. LaRue had two of the Royals hits.

Contreras, who won his fourth straight decision, walked one, while striking out six in his third career shutout. His last one was May 10 at Minnesota. The five hits were a career low for Contreras in a shutout.

The veteran right-hander, who never allowed a runner to reach third base, was 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in his previous two starts this season against Kansas City.

Brian Bannister (12-9), an American League Rookie of the Year candidate who was 7-2 in his previous 11 starts, was roughed up for six runs and eight hits, including three home runs, in five innings.

Bannister gave up a two-run home run to Juan Uribe in the fourth.

The White Sox scored two runs in the first on two hits and a walk. Paul Konerko’s groundout scored Josh Fields, who had walked and stopped at third on Thome’s double. Jermaine Dye singled home Thome.

The White Sox added a run in the seventh off left-hander Jorge De La Rosa when Dye’s single scored Fields.

The Royals have lost 11 of 14 to drop into the AL Central cellar, a half-game behind the White Sox.