Kansas City, Mo. ? Danny Duffy would like back just one of the 103 pitches he threw Saturday night.

That one isn’t coming back, though, as Alexei Ramirez drove it over the fence for a three-run homer as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-1.

“He made one mistake that cost him a three-run homer to Ramirez,” Yost said. “He had a 1-2 count and had all kinds of lead room to execute a pitch. He was trying to go a back-door slider and just left it down the middle.”

Duffy (7-7), who had not pitched more than six innings in his previous five starts, lasted seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out seven and walking two.

Ramirez homered for his eighth hit in nine at-bats in the fourth inning with Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia aboard.

“I just didn’t execute on that slider,” Duffy said.

“I’m happy with the way I competed tonight, but I’m not happy with the result.”

Geovany Soto hit a solo homer in the seventh, his fifth home run in 21 games.

Jose Quintana (8-10) pitched seven scoreless innings to defeat K.C. for the first time in 17 career starts after losing his first six decisions.

Quintana is 4-1 in nine starts since July 24 and yielded five doubles — including two to Kendrys Morales. He struck out four and walked none.

The White Sox padded their lead with two outs in the ninth when Adam Eaton and Melky Cabrera delivered run-producing singles off rookie left-hander Scott Alexander.

The Royals, who scored 27 runs in beating Detroit Wednesday and Thursday, have scored two runs in two games against the White Sox.

The Royals went 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. They used three infield singles in the eighth off relievers Jake Petricka and Zach Duke for their lone run. Alex Gordon was 3 for 4 and got Lorenzo Cain home with a slow roller to third baseman Tyler Saladino.

“We had chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on them for sure,” Yost said. “Quintana does a good job of changing speeds with his curveball, locating his fastball and keeping you off balance.”

DOUBLE THE FUN

Omar Infante’s seventh-inning double was the 250th of this career. Morales’ two doubles brought his total to 38, the second highest total of his career. He collected 43 two-baggers in 2009 with the Angels.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas (strained hamstring) will likely return to the lineup Sunday. He has not started the past five games, but did pinch hit in the eighth and grounded into a double play. “That ball was scorched,” Yost said.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Erik Johnson will make his 2015 debut after being selected the International League Most Valuable Pitcher with an 11-8 record, 2.37 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 132 2-3 innings for Triple-A Charlotte.

Royals: RHP Johnny Cueto, who has allowed 17 runs in 17 innings in losing his past three starts, will start the series finale.