(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox will try to rebound from a poor effort on Saturday and maintain their slim lead in the AL Central, as they conclude a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

On Saturday, John Buck and Billy Butler each homered and knocked in three runs, helping Kansas City to a 9-1 rout. Mike Aviles contributed a three-run double for the Royals, who snapped a two- game slide and won for the fourth time in six games.

Gil Meche (7-9) was brilliant, earning the win by limiting the home team to two hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six while allowing only one walk.

Orlando Cabrera knocked in the lone run for the White Sox, who have dropped four of six and whose lead in the AL Central shrunk to a half-game after Minnesota routed Texas, 14-2. Joe Crede and Alexei Ramirez recorded the only hits in defeat.

Sox starter Gavin Floyd (10-6) took the loss, allowing four hits and three runs - only one earned -, fanning six and walking three over six innings. His bullpen ultimately failed the club, charged with five hits and six runs over the final three innings.

The White Sox will try to capture the series from Kansas City today behind the left arm of John Danks. Danks, who went just 6-13 with a 5.50 ERA as a rookie last season, has been outstanding this year and has not suffered a loss since May 24.

Danks last toed the rubber on July 12, when he yielded four earned runs and seven hits over 7 2/3 innings of a 9-7 triumph over the Texas Rangers. He fanned eight and walked none in picking up his second straight victory. He has now struck out 25 batters over his last 22 innings.

In two career starts against the Royals, Danks owns a 1.98 ERA, although he did not receive a decision in either outing.

For Kansas City, Brian Bannister is set to make his second straight start against the White Sox. On July 9, the right-hander was reached for five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, but he did not factor in the Royals' 7-6 loss to Chicago. He is now 2-1 with a whopping 6.67 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox.

Bannister also struggled prior to the All-Star break, surrendering 19 runs over a stretch of 16 1/3 innings. The Royals have also dropped each of his last three starts as well.

Chicago swept a three-game set from the Royals in the Windy City back in early June and owns a one-sided 25-8 record against Kansas City at home since 2005. The White Sox have also won eight of the last 10 overall matchups in this series.