KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez took exception to Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur trying to throw him out at first base on a single during the ninth inning of the Royals' 7-2 win on Thursday night.

Francouer came up firing on Ramirez's sharp single, and the play was close enough for first base umpire Greg Gibson to flatten his palms. Ramirez gestured at Francouer, who smiled and pointed back.

"I wasn't really upset with the play, Francoeur is just doing his job, and I got to do my job and get to first base,'' Ramirez said. "I'm aware of his highlights in getting guys out at first and I don't want to be on ESPN. So I told him that next time he's up, he better run hard because if it gets past me I'm still going after him.''