Defensive problems again cost the Royals late, as the Chicago White Sox scored four unearned runs in the eighth inning for a 4-2 win in Sarasota. Shortstop Jackie Hernandez committed two errors in the fateful eighth inning, and the White Sox scored those four runs despite collecting just two hits in the frame.

The defense was not wholly to blame in the defeat. The Royals’ offense managed only three hits, and White Sox starter Sammy Ellis pitched five no-hit innings before leaving the game. He did allow one run, as he committed a throwing error that allowed Mike Fiore, who had walked, to score in the fourth inning. In the seventh, Joe Foy doubled and scored on a Jerry Adair single. But that was all the Royals could manage with the bats.

Kansas City starter Dennis Ribant held the White Sox scoreless on one hit through four innings, although he did walk four batters. Reliever Galen Cisco took the hard-luck loss despite not allowing an earned run in 3 1/3 innings.

Today’s birthdays: Lee May (1943), George Scott (1944), Ron Johnson (1956), Chris Turner (1969), Joel Peralta (1976), Tony Pena Jr. (1981)