Gavin Sheets hit a home run, and Erick Fedde pitched without letting the other team score until the sixth inning. This helped the struggling Chicago White Sox win 2-1 against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, breaking a six-game losing streak with a split in the doubleheader.
In the first game, Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, giving the Royals a lead that led them to win 4-2.
Paul DeJong had a great day, getting five hits. He got two singles in the second game after going 3 for 3 in the first game with a homer, double, and walk. The White Sox have had their worst start ever this season, with a record of 3-15.
DeJong said, “I haven’t played a doubleheader with only 30 minutes in between. Two full games, so it was a tough day, but we managed to win the second game. Winning a close game against a team that has been beating us all year is special.”
The doubleheader was scheduled because Tuesday night’s game was rained out. The Royals have been dominant against the White Sox this season, with a record of 6-1 in their matchups.
Fedde (1-0) allowed only three hits, including two infield singles, over 5 2/3 innings to earn his first win with the White Sox. He joined the team in December after playing in South Korea last season.
“It went really well,” Fedde commented on his fourth start with Chicago. “I felt like I could get the leadoff batters out, control counts. I had a few walks (three), but I managed them well and got into favorable situations.”
Sheets hit a solo home run in the sixth inning off Michael Wacha, hitting the right-field foul pole, putting Chicago in the lead 2-0. Dominic Fletcher scored Chicago’s first run with a single in the fourth inning.
Hunter Renfroe brought in a run with a groundout in the seventh inning against Tanner Banks, who was the first reliever for Chicago. Deivi Garcia followed with two scoreless innings for his second career save and first this season.
Wacha (1-1) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. The experienced right-handed pitcher struck out four and walked two. “Our batters will come through. They get timely hits,” Wacha said. “It just wasn’t our day today.”
However, in the first game, Perez hit a home run off Michael Kopech to left-center, giving the Royals a 3-2 lead. Kansas City’s eight-time All-Star catcher played in both games of the doubleheader after missing Monday’s game due to a groin injury.
“That home run was the turning point in the game,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But even before that, I thought Perez looked good.”
“Not surprised. He earned that,” Quatraro commented. “I mean, Kopech, that guy’s got an electric arm. To be able to turn a fastball around like that, that’s impressive.” Perez, who turns 34 next month, was injured in a collision at the plate in a 2-1 loss to the Mets in New York on Sunday.
Renfroe added a solo home run in the ninth inning, and Adam Frazier brought in the Royals’ first run with a single. Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits and was on base for Perez’s home run after getting an infield single. DeJong hit a two-run homer off Royals starter Brady Singer.
Nick Anderson (1-1), the second of four Kansas City relievers, pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the win. James McArthur worked around DeJong’s double in the ninth inning for his fourth save.
Kopech (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits in the eighth inning and was charged with his first blown save.
Singer gave up two runs and three hits in five innings, walking three and striking out five. The right-hander had only allowed two runs over 18 1/3 innings in three previous starts for a 0.98 ERA.
White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon pitched five strong innings in his major league debut and left with a 2-1 lead. The lanky 23-year-old right-hander allowed three hits, struck out three, and walked one while throwing 54 of 79 pitches for strikes.
“I thought I did well. I thought I executed a lot of pitches,” said Cannon, who had family and friends in the stands. “I was able to execute my game plan going in.
“It was a dream come true, really,” he added. Cannon retired his first five hitters and should have gotten a sixth to end the second inning. Nelson Velázquez hit a line drive to center field, but Fletcher slipped twice, and the ball sailed over him for a double.
