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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox had a power surge on Saturday night. But the offensive production in the 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals has been a rarity this season, and that was evident after the game when the team announced that hitting coach Jeff Manto had been fired. The White Sox avoided 100 losses for the season with the win, but it wasnt enough to save Mantos job. "Obviously, this has been a very disappointing season and one of the main areas of disappointment has been our offensive performance," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Were at the bottom of several important categories, most importantly runs scored, walks and on-base percentage. Its our belief that the best way to continue to address some of those issues is to get a new voice in here to work with our hitters. "We had a conversation with Jeff and we allowed him to choose whether he finished the season and had this announced on Monday. Jeff decided it was best for him to leave at the start of tonights game." Manager Robin Ventura said he fought for Manto to stay, but the decision to make the change wasnt his. "As bad as this season has been, I dont want anyone to point the finger at him," Ventura said of Manto. "Having played and having the same thing as a player, theres responsibility all over the place." The White Sox were a more potent offence on Saturday. Adam Dunn and Conor Gillapie each hit two-run shots and Marcus Semien and Jordan Danks each added solo homers. "Looking at last year, we hit a lot of home runs," Ventura said. "I think at periods we won more games because we got runs faster. Tonight was one of those nights. It was instant, for both teams. There was no manufacturing of runs. Last year, we had it. This year, we didnt have it as much." It was an unseasonably warm night and the ball was flying out as if it was the middle of summer. All 11 runs came via the home run. The White Sox opened the scoring with back-to-back homers from Semien and Danks in the bottom of the second inning for a 2-0 lead. Its the fourth time this season the White Sox have hit back-to-back homers. Semien has only been with the White Sox a short time, but has a long history with Manto. "I learned a lot from him," Semien said. "Even when I was in the minor leagues, he was our co-ordinator my first year. He taught me a lot about what to look for, what to do in certain situations. Hes helped me become a smarter player." The advantage grew to 4-0 when Dunn smashed a two-run shot in the third. It was Dunns 34th homer on the season. Those homers were surrendered by Royals starter Yordano Ventura (0-1), who allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. White Sox starter Erik Johnson (3-2) didnt allow a hit through the first 4 1-3 innings. Mike Moustakas then homered to right field with one out in the fifth inning. Then in the top of the sixth, Billy Butler hit a two-run shot to make it 4-3. "This park is usually a good park to hit in if you get the ball in the air," Butler said. "Definitely in the (A.L.) Central its the best park to hit in. You hit the ball in the air and you hit it good, its going out." The home runs continued in the bottom of the seventh when Gillaspie smacked the first pitch from left-handed reliever Tim Collins just over the right-field fence for a two-run homer and a 6-3 cushion. Salvador Perez got the runs right back with a two-run shot in the eighth. White Sox closer Addison Reed worked a scoreless ninth for his 40th save. NOTES: Assistant hitting coach Harold Baines will handle Mantos job in Sundays season finale. Manto worked two years as Chicagos hitting coach. ... A day later, there was still a buzz about the unusual catch Royals left-fielder Alex Gordon made Friday on a fly ball by Alexei Ramirez. Gordon ran back and climbed the fence. But then he realized the ball wasnt going that far, so he jumped down and made a casual backhand catch. Many in the ballpark thought the ball was gone, including the person who sets off the fireworks celebrating every White Sox homer. "I wasnt fooled by that," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "I wasnt in charge of the fireworks. Believe it or not, we dont have a button controlling that in (the dugout)." ... Barring a last-second collapse of epic proportions, the Royals, who led the AL with a 2.55 bullpen ERA entering Saturday, will set a franchise mark. The previous low in a full season was 2.92 in 1976. . The series, and the season, wraps up Sunday with White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (9-6) facing LHP Bruce Chen (8-4). Discount Air Max 97 . Just ask last seasons Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, who were resoundingly defeated last weekend by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps in a match which produced two contenders for MLS Goal of the Week from Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales. Air Max 97 Clearance . -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has no concerns about the health of shortstop Derek Jeter, who was limited to 17 games last season due to leg injuries. http://www.cheapairmax97china.com/ . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. Wholesale Air Max 97 China .C. -- Kurt Busch put his chances at "70 per cent" at running the Indianapolis 500 this year because of recent developments that have pushed a potential program along. Cheap Air Max 97 Wholesale . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel.In a surprising move, the New York Mets invested in an aging hitter to kick off the free agent season. Numbers Game breaks down the Mets’ addition of Michael Cuddyer. The Mets Get: OF Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer, 35, is coming off an injury-plagued season, but he’s been a very productive hitter for Colorado the past two seasons. It’s no coincidence, however, that those seasons have occurred in Colorado. Cuddyer has played 179 games over the past two seasons, hitting .331 with a .928 OPS, but those numbers are, not surprisingly, tilted towards the Rockies’ home field. HOME-ROAD SPLITS 2013-2014 LOCATION AB HR AVG OPS Home 305 17 .367 1.061 Road 374 13 .302 .815 Three of Cuddyer’s four highest home-run-to-flyball rates have come in the past three years, while playing for the Rockies, including last season’s career-best 22.7%. All this while swinging at more pitches outside the strike zone than ever before, something that would seem to be a nasty habit when the confines of the home park aren’t so friendly. Even if we can rest assured that Cuddyer will no longer receive the Colorado boost to his offensive numbers, there is still the opportunity that he could be a productive hitter. The trouble is, at his age, he’s not much more than a hitter. Whie he can still run a little bit (stealing 32 bases in 39 attempts over the past four seasons), Cuddyer is a liability in the field. In right field, where’s he’s spent most of his outfield time, he hasn’t had a positive Defensive Runs Saved ratting since 2005, and is minus-18 runs in that metric over the past two seasons.dddddddddddd. His Ultimate Zone Rating has been similarly negative and now that he’s in his mid-30s, there’s no reason to believe that it’s going to get better. In New York, Cuddyer figures to shift to left field, which could help mitigate some of his fielding woes, but will also mean that CF Juan Lagares and RF Curtis Granderson will have to be prepared to cover a lot of ground. Over the past two seasons, Cuddyer has, cumulatively, been good for three-to-four wins above replacement (3.0 BBRef WAR, 3.9 fWAR) and that makes him a useful player and two years, at a total of $21-million isn’t unreasonable for solid bat, when healthy. Whether that makes him worth forgoing the 15th pick in the first round of next year’s draft – the compensation that the Mets owe for signing him – is another matter entirely. Colorado is already rather crowded in the outfield, with young inexpensive options like Corey Dickerson, Brandon Barnes and Charlie Blackmon pushing for bigger roles, so they can afford to lose Cuddyer. Getting a first-round pick out of the deal is a reward for being willing to make a $15.3-million qualifying offer to Cuddyer in the first place. Verdict: Cuddyer could be a solid bat for the Mets, but he’s played 280 (of a possible 486) games over the past three seasons and health questions for a player in his mid-30s don’t figure to go away. Mix in expected decline with a change in home park and it is hard for the Mets to justify the long-term impact of giving up a first-round pick. Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca ' ' '