Chicago ? Mark Buehrle finally gave up a run in an otherwise dominant outing.

Buehrle stretched his winning streak to a career-high eight games, and the Chicago White Sox extended their winning streak to seven with a 5-1 victory Wednesday over the Kansas City Royals.

The White Sox enter this weekend’s series with the crosstown rival Cubs at 49-22, the best record in the majors.

“It almost feels like I can go out there and dominate a game,” Buehrle said.

Which is exactly what he did.

Buehrle (9-1) allowed five hits, his scoreless streak ending at 251â3 innings when the Royals scored an unearned run in the eighth. He walked one and struck out six in eight innings, and Carl Everett backed him with a three-run homer.

“I’m not saying it’s easy,” Buehrle said. “I’m going out and having some good luck, making my pitches.”

Buehrle is making a strong case to start the All-Star game, as is teammate Jon Garland, who leads the majors with 12 wins. Manager Ozzie Guillen hopes neither starts, but he wants them to be selected.

“I know the All-Star game means a lot to the players,” said Guillen, a three-time selection. “It’s an honor for any player to represent and make the team, but … as a manager, you don’t want him to be used.”

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Everett had two hits, and two of Paul Konerko’s three hits were doubles.

J.P. Howell (1-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in his third major-league start for the Royals, who were swept in the three-game series. Emil Brown extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games with a single in the fourth.

Buehrle’s last loss was April 10, and he got off to another strong start Wednesday, retiring 11 of the first 12 batters. The White Sox scored twice with two outs in the third, and Everett hit his 10th homer to make it 5-0 with two outs in the fifth.