The Royals snapped a four-game losing streak in dramatic fashion, scoring a 3-2 walkoff win over the Chicago White Sox at Municipal Stadium.

Kansas City had to overcome a 2-0 deficit right away. Chicago started the evening with a Carlos May walk and Luis Aparicio triple for a 1-0 lead. Two outs later, Duane Josephson singled to drive in May and push the lead to two runs.

But the Royals got one run back in the bottom of the inning against White Sox starter Tommy John. Pat Kelly and Jerry Adair started the frame with singles. Joe Foy drew a walk to load the bases with one out, and Chuck Harrison hit a line drive off John that resulted in an infield single and one run. However, a double play ended the inning.

The Royals tied the score in the second with a Jim Campanis double and Kelly single.

The score remained 2-2 as John and Royals starter Bill Butler matched scoreless innings. Butler pitched eight innings, striking out eight and allowing six hits and five walks. John was a little sharper, allowing eight hits but just one walk. He struck out seven.

Butler was pulled after allowing a leadoff single to Ron Hansen in the ninth. Reliever Moe Drabowsky retired the next three hitters to keep the score tied and give Kansas City a chance to win in the bottom of the inning.

It appeared the Royals would quickly take advantage. Bob Oliver greeted new White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood with a leadoff triple into the right field corner. Wood walked Jim Campanis intentionally, but the Sox decided to pitch to pinch-hitter Ellie Rodriguez. It almost worked, as Rodriguez hit a weak grounder which Wood fielded. But as the pitcher bluffed a throw to third and then second, Rodriguez hustled to first for an infield hit. Wood induced pinch-hitter Hawk Taylor to ground into a third-to-home-to-first double play. But Wood, a knuckleball pitcher, was facing Kelly when he uncorked one that got away from Josephson behind the plate. Campanis scooted home with the winning run.

The win brought the Royals to 9-10 on the season, and 3.5 games behind Minnesota in the AL West.

Today’s birthday: Jeff Reboulet (1964)