A bit of self-destruction cost the Royals, who dropped a 5-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox in Fort Myers.

Chicago took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning, then scored four runs thanks to a hit batter, two errors, and two singles. Bullpen candidate Larry Sherry started the inning but failed to retire any of the four batters he faced. Tom Burgmeier came on to clean up the mess, but issued one walk and allowed an RBI single as well. The errors were both committed by the left side of the infield, with third baseman Joe Foy and shortstop Jackie Hernandez each being charged with a miscue.

On offense, the Royals collected nine hits, but eight of them were singles. Kansas City’s lone run came in the bottom of the ninth, as Mike Fiore and Joe Keough singled and Ed Kirkpatrick hit a sacrifice fly. Keough had three hits in the game, including a triple. Foy and Fiore picked up two hits apiece.

Today’s birthday: Jason LaRue (1974)