KANSAS CITY -- This is what Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain was working toward: a game like this.

After nearly three months on the disabled list, Cain returned to the lineup on Friday and produced a great day at the plate and in the field -- going 3-for-6 with a double, a walk, an RBI and three runs scored in Kansas City's 9-8 loss in 14 innings to the White Sox.

Cain also made a great throw from center field to nab Kevin Youkilis, who was attempting to advance to third on a sixth-inning base hit.

Cain, who was activated during the All-Star break, had been on the disabled list since early April due to a pair of left leg injuries. He last appeared in a game against Oakland on April 10, where a spectacular defensive play led to a left groin strain. Cain later tore his left hip flexor during a rehab assignment.

"It's been a frustrating year, injury-wise," Cain said before Friday's loss. "To finally get here and see my name in the lineup and get a chance to be back with my teammates and continue to build on the chemistry we already had, it's definitely an amazing feeling."

In just five games prior to his trip to the DL, Cain went 2-for-15 with a walk, a run scored, an RBI and five strikeouts. Cain also hit a rope that ended up in a double play in the bottom of the 10th.

"Cain smoked that ball," outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "[White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham] stepped on second for a double play. That ball goes up the middle and we've got runners at first and third. That's unfortunate."

Manager Ned Yost said that Cain would get an opportunity to play nearly every day.

"He feels pretty good right now," Yost said. "We still want to mix [Jarrod] Dyson in. We're not going to leave him out of the mix, and we've got [Jason] Bourgeois. But I imagine Lorenzo will play five days a week, somewhere in there."

Cain's return, matched with Friday's return of second baseman Chris Getz, means that Yost will be able to pencil in the lineup he had hoped to back in Spring Training.

Major injuries to catcher Salvador Perez (who returned on June 22) and Cain put that on hold for much of the year.

Royals' staff honored for video presentation

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals' event presentation and production staff won the Golden Matrix Award for Best Show Open on Wednesday as part of the 30th Annual Information Display Entertainment Association Conference in Minneapolis.

For the second straight year, the staff took home the award for the video that plays before the start of each Royals home game on Kauffman Stadium's Crown Vision.

The awards recognize excellence in the programming of video screen and matrix displays at MLB, NFL, NBA, collegiate and Minor League facilities.

The Royals' event presentation and production staff includes:

Don Costante, senior director of event presentation and production; Chris DeRuyscher, director of event presentation and production; Ben Mertens, manager of event presentation and production; Todd Kinsey, production coordinator; Megan Wellborn, event presentation manager; Nicki Averso, event presentation assistant; Brad Collins, mascot coordinator and Russ Gardner, audio/visual engineer.

Crown points

• On Saturday, the Royals will host Viva Los Royals, a night celebrating Hispanic heritage.

As part of the promotional evening, the Royals will host a pregame party featuring entertainment. The first 20,000 fans will receive a chip and dip platter, and, for the second-straight year, local restaurants will be competing in the "Salsa Showdown." Fans can taste and vote on which restaurant boasts the best salsa by sampling a variety of offerings in the Outfield Experience near Gate E.

For more information about Viva Los Royals, fans can visit royals.com.

• The series opener against the White Sox was the second game to be played on Friday the 13th at Kauffman Stadium this season. The Royals' home opener was held on Friday, April 13 -- an 8-3 loss to the Indians.

• The 2012 Draft signing deadline was Friday afternoon. The Royals signed 31 of their 40 total picks, including their top 11 selections and 16 of their top 17.

• The Royals have seen a major increase in attendance so far this season. They have drawn a total of 871,677 fans, an average of 23,559 per game. That's an increase of 4,337 per game over last season.