CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Kopech gave up one hit over a career-high eight innings, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Friday night.
Kopech simply toyed with the Royals as the White Sox opened a weekend series between teams with two of the majors’ worst records on a winning note. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out 10 on 98 pitches, and bounced back from a loss to Houston and won for the second time in three starts.
Kopech (2-4) retired the the first 16 batters before giving up a single to Michael Massey, who was erased on a double play. Massey also broke up a no-hit bid by the Padres’ Michael Wacha on Monday at San Diego when he lined a single leading off the eighth.
The Royals did not get another runner. And Kendall Graveman retired the side in the ninth for his third save, getting Jackie Bradley Jr. on a fly to deep center to end the game.
The White Sox took a 2-0 lead against Zach Greinke (1-5) in the second.
Yoán Moncada led off with a single and scored on Gavin Sheets’ base hit. Romy González drove in Andrew Vaughn with a sacrifice fly to deep center field, and that was all the White Sox needed to come away with the win after the Royals pummeled them 27-13 in taking three of four at Kansas City last week.
Greinke settled down after the second, allowing two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. The former AL Cy Young Award winner exited with a runner on second.
Jackson Kowar walked Vaughn and Sheets to load the bases before retiring Jake Burger on a grounder to the shortstop.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: Struggling RHP Brad Keller (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 15-day injured list and is scheduled for an MRI in Kansas City on Monday. “He's feeling better, but wasn't going to be able to rebound to be able to make a start,” manager Matt Quatraro said. Keller leads the majors with 40 walks in nine starts, including eight in 32/3 innings against San Diego on Monday. The Royals recalled RHP Max Castillo from Triple-A Omaha.
UP NEXT
RHP Lucas Giolito (2-3, 3.86 ERA) looks to continue a solid run for Chicago, while Kansas City RHP Jordan Lyles (0-7, 7.14) seeks his first win. Giolito has a 2.82 ERA in his past seven outings.