Royals rally but late home run gives White Sox 6-5 win in series opener

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By MATT PIKE

The Kansas City Royals rallied back from a three run deficit, but Chicago White Sox pinch-hitter Derek Hill hit a home run to break an eighth-inning tie, and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 at Rate Field for their third straight win.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez hit solo home runs in the first inning against White Sox starter Erick Fedde, who has allowed 10 home runs in six starts and two relief appearances this season, giving the Royals an early 2-0 lead in the game.

But in the fifth inning, Drew Romo hit a solo home run, just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Jac Caglianone and Chase Meidroth added a three-run drive, scoring Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery, off Royals starter Stephen Kolek as part of a five run frame that gave Chicago a 5-2 advantage.

Kansas City tied the score though in the sixth inning as Nick Loftin hit a two RBI double, driving in Carter Jensen and Isaac Collins, against Tyler Schweitzer and later scored on Maikel Garcia’s single off Grant Taylor to tie the game at 5-5 at the end of six innings.

Hill batted for Tristan Peters in the eighth inning, and drove a low slider from Matt Strahm to left-center field, a 417-foot drive for his third career pinch hit home run and second this season. Hill also had a game tying home run in a May 3rd loss to the San Diego Padres.  Chicago has come from behind in nine of its 20 wins.  On the other hand, Kansas City has lost four of six following a five-game winning streak.

Strahm took the loss in relief, falling to 1-1 on the season, pitching the one inning and giving up one hit and one run, being the home run to Hill, while striking out one.  At the plate, Witt Jr. and Perez were both 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.  Loftin was 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs, pinch hitting for Michael Massey.  

Next, Kansas City and Chicago continue their series tomorrow.  Seth Lugo (1-2, 3.21 ERA, 42K’s) takes the mound for the Royals against Noah Schultz (2-2, 4.68 ERA, 23K’s) for the White Sox.  First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame is at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).