Chicago ? John Buck did more than just work the count.

Buck homered twice to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 8-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

“I went in there to try to take a lot of pitches and work the counts,” Buck said. “I didn’t come in trying to hit it out. I’m just trying to get better as a hitter.”

Buck broke a 4-4 tie in the sixth with a 431-foot solo shot to center off reliever Felix Diaz for his first career multihomer game. He went 3-for-4 and is 15-for-34 with five home runs in his last eight games.

Jimmy Gobble (9-8) allowed four runs and eight hits in six-plus innings to remain the only Kansas City starter with a non-losing record. Gobble is 3-0 in five starts since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 29.

Mike MacDougal allowed Joe Crede’s two-run double in the ninth, which made it 8-6. But with runners on first and second and nobody out, MacDougal coaxed Aaron Rowand to pop up a bunt. Juan Uribe then grounded into a double play.

Joe Randa had three hits for the Royals, who have won five of eight.

Carlos Lee 28th homer, a two-run shot in the first, gave the White Sox a 2-0 lead and was Chicago’s franchise-record 221st home run of the season. The White Sox hit 220 last year.

The Royals bounced back with a three-run third, started by Buck’s leadoff homer off Chicago starter Freddy Garcia.

“I’ve known this kid for a long time and I believe he’s going to hit with some power,” Kansas City manager Tony Pena said. “He’s coming around. It took a while but he’s feeling comfortable and you can see the result.”

After Randa’s RBI single, Matt Stairs hit a double to left-center field. Uribe’s relay beat a sliding Randa to the plate, but catcher Jamie Burke couldn’t hold onto the ball. Randa scored to give the Royals a 3-2 lead, and Burke was charged with an error.

“It is frustrating because that’s the third time it has happened to me this year,” Burke said.