Chicago ? A benches-clearing fight led to five ejections several innings before Eric Hosmer hit the go-ahead double in the 13th to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

With two outs, Hosmer’s hit off Chicago’s Jake Petricka (0-1) brought in Jarrod Dyson. Wade Davis then pitched a scoreless 13th for his fourth save, giving Franklin Morales (2-0) the victory.

Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games in a game in which tempers flared.

In the seventh, Yordano Ventura snagged a grounder from Chicago outfielder Adam Eaton and they appeared to exchange words before Ventura threw to first to end the inning. Eaton had to be restrained from Ventura, who was ejected from a second straight start.

Players from both dugouts and bullpens ran onto the field and punches were thrown during a fight that lasted a couple of minutes.

The play was the culmination of tensions that seemed to rise during the game and carry over from their season-opening series earlier this month when the teams combined to hit six batters. In the bottom of the fourth, Ventura hit Jose Abreu. In the top of the fifth, Chris Sale hit Mike Moustakas.

Ventura was thrown out after the fight. On Saturday, after he allowed a three-run homer to the Athletics’ Josh Reddick, he hit Brett Lawrie and was ejected.

The four others tossed Thursday were Kansas City outfielder Lorenzo Cain and pitcher Edinson Volquez, along with Chicago’s Sale and pitcher Jeff Samardzija.

For Ventura, it was his fourth consecutive start that ended abruptly. Besides the ejections, on opening day against the White Sox he left with a thumb cramp. He was replaced April 12 against the Los Angeles Angels because of a right calf cramp.

Kansas City has been in a fighting mood for a week now.

In that three-game series against Oakland last weekend, the Royals and A’s cleared their benches each day. Nearly as many people were hit by pitches as hit home runs. And five players and coaches were ultimately thrown out of the finale Sunday, when things boiled over.

Among those tossed was reliever Kelvin Herrera, who threw a fastball behind the head of Lawrie, then pointed to his own head in a threatening manner. Herrera was suspended five games for it pending an appeal, a punishment that could have easily been stiffer.

Before the fight, Ventura pitched seven innings and allowed two runs while striking out eight. He also survived a scare in the third when Micah Johnson beat him to first base and accidentally kicked the pitcher’s right leg, though after a couple precautionary tosses the hard-throwing righty stayed in the game.

Sale only gave up two first-inning runs and lasted seven innings and allowed nine hits.

Chicago only had seven hits.

Trainer’s room

Royals: INF Omar Infante (left groin) was not in the lineup. He left Sunday’s game after suffering the injury and hasn’t appeared since, though manager Ned Yost said “he’s getting to the point where he’s getting ready to play.” . Yost said RHP Greg Holland (right pectoral muscle) will be evaluated Saturday. . RHP Luke Hochevar (right elbow) threw a scoreless inning during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha.

White Sox: Petricka (right forearm) made his debut Wednesday and said he felt “great” before Thursday’s game. “Normal soreness. That’s a great feeling,” Petricka said.

Up next

Royals LHP Danny Duffy (1-0, 5.51) faces White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (1-1, 8.40). Duffy is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field, while Quintana is 0-6 with a 4.66 ERA all-time against Kansas City.