Royals 2, White Sox 0: Jeremy Guthrie pitched his first career shutout to set a franchise record with 17 straight unbeaten starts as host Kansas City downed Chicago in the opener of a three-game series.

Lorenzo Cain delivered a two-run triple in the first and Guthrie (4-0) make the runs hold up with a strong effort. He allowed four hits and one walk and struck out three while surpassing the previous franchise mark for consecutive unbeaten outings set by Paul Splittorff in 1977-78.

Billy Butler was hit by a pitch from Dylan Axelrod (0-2) with two outs in the first inning and Eric Hosmer followed with a single. Cain drove a pitch down the right-field line for his three-bagger as Chicago’s Alex Rios missed a diving catch attempt and both runners scored.

The White Sox received singles from Tyler Flowers and Alejandro De Aza in the eighth inning, but Guthrie got out of the jam by inducing Jeff Keppinger to hit into a fielder’s choice. Guthrie is 9-0 during the 17-start stretch.

Axelrod allowed two runs and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Guthrie is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in six starts against the White Sox since joining the Royals last July. … Chicago’s streak of hitting a homer in 11 straight games came to an end. … Hosmer had three hits for Kansas City.