Buehrle leads White Sox over Red Sox

CHICAGO – Mark Buehrle won for the first time since pitching a perfect game on July 23, ending his eight-start drought by leading the Chicago White Sox over the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in the American League on Monday.

Carlos Quentin homered as Chicago took three of four from the AL wild-card leaders.

Buehrle (12-7) outpitched Josh Beckett (14-6), scattering eight hits over seven-plus innings. The White Sox lefty had been 0-4 with a 5.44 ERA since his gem against Tampa Bay.

Buehrle gave up a first-inning run and then pitched his way out of several jams. Leading 3-1, he gave up a leadoff single to Victor Martinez in the eighth and was replaced by Tony Pena, who struck out Jason Bay and Mike Lowell.

Beckett, who hasn’t won since Aug. 12, gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings. He retired his final 10 batters and was able to keep the ball in the park, something he’d failed to do in his five previous outings when he surrendered 14 homers.

At Kansas City, Missouri, Billy Butler homered twice and had four RBIs as Kansas City ended a nine-game losing streak to the Los Angeles Angels with a 6-3 victory.

Kansas City played solid defense, had 11 hits and survived a scare from its shaky bullpen to beat Los Angeles for the first time since May 7, 2008. Butler hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Ervin Santana (7-8) and a solo shot off Jose Arredondo in the eighth for his second multihomer game this season.

The AL West-leading Angels continued their September hitting funk, failing to take advantage of numerous opportunities against Royals starter Kyle Davies (7-9).   (AP)