Andrew Vaughn and A.J. Pollock each cracked a two-run homer and singled, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Thursday.

Leury Garcia and Elvis Andrus added two hits and an RBI apiece for the White Sox, who won their second straight following a five-game slide to climb back within a game of .500 (65-66).

Chicago improved to 2-1 under bench coach Miguel Cairo, who is filling in as manager while Tony La Russa is on indefinite leave to undergo tests for an unspecified health issue.

The defending AL Central champions, who began the day five games behind first-place Cleveland, held a players-only meeting before the game. Chicago is seeking its third straight playoff appearance.

The White Sox have 31 games left, starting with a three-game home series against second-place Minnesota.

Kansas City rookie infielder Michael Massey had a double in his first three-hit game. The 24-year-old Illinois alum, who made hit major league debut on July 13, finished 3-for-3 with a walk.

 Davis Martin (2-4, 4.62) faces visiting Minnesota's Sonny Gray (7-4, 3.04) in Friday's series opener.