Kansas City, Mo. ? Mark Buehrle is trying to get back to pitching as well as he did the first three months of the season. He’s getting closer with each start.

Buehrle pitched six solid innings and Joe Crede drove in two runs to help the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals, 5-3, Saturday night.

Buehrle improved to 3-1 in his last four starts after going 0-6 with two no-decisions in his previous eight outings. In his six-game losing skid over eight starts, he had an 8.93 earned-run average. In his past four starts, Buehrle has a 3.65 ERA.

Buehrle, who was 9-4 with a 3.22 ERA at the end of June, improved to 3-0 against the Royals this season and 15-6 in his career.

“He’s still on the road back,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I hope we see him perform the way he was before. Buehrle threw the ball good tonight. If he throws like that every game, he’s going to win a lot more.”

Buehrle (12-11) gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings, while walking one and striking out three.

“The results are there,” Buehrle said. “I’ve gone out and give my team a chance to win and that’s kind of what I’ve been shooting for. In my last four or five starts, I’ve been pretty pleased with what is happening out there.”

Chicago's Joe Crede drives the ball into left field for a two-run single.

Buehrle had just one clean inning, the second, but was backed by two double plays and struck out Mark Teahen in the third with one out and runners on the corners.

Losing pitcher Odalis Perez (1-3) worked seven-plus innings, giving up five runs and 11 hits, while walking one and striking out six.

“He deserved better than that,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said. “I thought he was outstanding. We had some balls in the outfield that were either bloopers, bounced over our heads or bounced in front of us.”

While Buehrle had the good fortune, Perez struggled to get any breaks.

“It was just bad luck for me today,” Perez said. “I should have given up only one run if we don’t make those little mistakes that cost us the game. I’m not going to blame my teammates for that cause they are the ones when you’re in a bad situation they come through and they help you to win a ballgame. I don’t feel bad. I threw the ball the way I wanted.”