The White Sox offense absolutely exploded in the first inning, scoring 8 runs and eventually winning by a 9-1 final in Kansas City. Tim Anderson and Nick Madrigal started off the rally with back to back singles, Yoan Moncada hit a 2-RBI double, and Yasmani Grandal hit a sac fly to make things 3-0 in a hurry. After Andrew Vaughn doubled to score Yermin Mercedes, Leury Garcia tripled to score Vaughn, and Danny Mendick ripped a two-run homer for a 7-0 lead.
The Sox would bat around in the inning, with Yoan Moncada finishing off the rally the same way it started with another RBI double. The Royals got their only run on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the 7th, while Yermin Mercedes stayed hot with an RBI single in the top of the 9th.
W: Lynn (3-1) | L: Lynch (0-1)
Notable Performances
Yoan Moncada: 2-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Yoan Moncada got the rally started in the first inning with a two-run double. He followed it up with another RBI double later in that same inning.
Lance Lynn: 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Lance Lynn continued the dominance of White Sox starters tonight by throwing five scoreless innings. While he walked four batters, he struck out six while only allowing one hit.
Leury Garcia: 2-for-4, 1 3B, 1 RBI
Leury continued the rally today in the 1st inning with an RBI triple, scoring Andrew Vaughn. He followed that up with an infield single in the 3rd inning.
Match Up of The Game
Tim Anderson vs. Daniel Lynch was a great match up for the Sox, with TA going 2-for-2 with two singles. Also, both times he reached base, he scored. It’s great to see Anderson continuing to tee off against starting pitchers, as he’s done well in that aspect all season.
Player of The Game
This game’s honors have to go to Lance Lynn. The White Sox starters have throw 25 consecutive scoreless innings, with Lynn contributing to the streak. This sets up ace Lucas Giolito in the finale who hopes to get on track against the slumping Royals.
Next Game
The White Sox take on the Royals at 1:10 PM CDT on Sunday for the third and final game of the series. Lucas Giolito will take the mound against Mike Minor with the sweep on the line. The game will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago.
Beginning to wonder if Mercedes has begun to “decline” and become reacquainted with reality. He seems to be less comfortable at the plate than he was during the first 25 to 30 games. The stats he posted in April cannot be sustained over an entire season. Will the organization be patient with him and allow him to continue in the everyday DH spot in the lineup? The expectations or grading scale for remaining in the daily lineup must be realistic — a regular DH hitting above .300 with a season total of 20-25 home runs and 85 RBIs should be regarded as above average and be sufficient performance numbers to justify presence in the daily lineup card. I hope the front office and La Russa allow Mercedes to weather a slump or two without yanking him from the DH spot.