CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye left the game early against the Kansas City Royals today after getting hit in the right knee by a pitch.

Kansas City reliever Horacio Ramirez hit Dye with a pitch in the fourth inning. Dye fell to the ground in obvious pain. He was helped off the field by two team trainers.

After Dye was hit, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen threw his towel in disgust before going out to the field to check on Dye.

Dye was also hit by a pitch on Saturday night by Ramirez.

In the top of the fifth inning, White Sox reliever D.J. Carassco, called up from Triple-A Charlotte before the game, threw an inside pitch on Billy Butler. Home plate umpire Mike Reilly warned both benches which infuriated Guillen, who slammed a water bottle on the ground.