Sheets and Fedde lead White Sox over Royals 2-1 to stop 6-game skid with doubleheader split

Chicago White Sox’s Gavin Sheets, Eloy Jiménez and Robbie Grossman, from left, celebrate the team’s win over the Kansas City Royals in the second baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CHICAGO (AP) — Gavin Sheets homered, Erick Fedde pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning and the struggling Chicago White Sox edged the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Wednesday for a doubleheader split that ended a six-game slide.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde throws against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning of the opener to put the Royals ahead, and Kansas City went on to win 4-2.

Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Paul DeJong had a five-hit day, adding two singles in the second game after going 3 for 3 in the first with a homer, double and walk. The White Sox are off to the worst start in franchise history at 3-15.

“I don’t think I’ve played a doubleheader where we did 30 minutes in-between,” DeJong said. “Two full nines, so it was a grinder day, but we got it done in the second game.

“To win a tight game against a team that’s kind of beaten us all year, that’s special for us.”

The doubleheader was scheduled after Tuesday night’s game was rained out. The Royals (12-7) are 6-1 against the AL Central rival White Sox.

Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Fedde (1-0) allowed three hits, including two infield singles, over 5 2/3 innings for his first win with Chicago. The 31-year-old right-hander signed with the White Sox in December after pitching in South Korea last season.

“It went really well,” Fedde said of his fourth start with Chicago. “I felt like I was able to get leadoff guys out, control counts. Had a few walks (three), but I picked my places with it and got to good situations overall.”

Sheets’ solo shot in the sixth off Michael Wacha struck the right-field foul pole and put Chicago ahead 2-0. Dominic Fletcher drove in Chicago’s first run with a single in the fourth.

Kansas City Royals’ Hunter Renfroe celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Hunter Renfroe knocked in a run with a groundout in the seventh against Tanner Banks, Chicago’s first reliever. Deivi Garcia followed with two scoreless innings for his second career save and first this season.

Wacha (1-1) yielded two runs and four hits in six innings. The veteran righty struck out four and walked two.

“Our hitters will be there. They come up clutch, they get timely hitting,” Wacha said. “It just wasn’t in the cards today.”

It was in the opener, though, when Perez homered off Michael Kopech to left-center to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. Kansas City’s eight-time All-Star catcher started both ends of the twinbill after missing Monday’s game with a groin injury.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong, left, jumps trying to catch the ball as Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. steals second during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

“Clearly, that home run was the huge point in the game,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But regardless, I thought (Perez) looked really good prior to that, too.”

Perez launched the first pitch he saw from the hard-throwing Kopech with two outs for his fifth home run.

“Not surprised. He earned that,” Quatraro said. “I mean, Kopech, that guy’s got an electric arm. To be able to turn a fastball around like that, that’s impressive.”

Chicago White Sox’s Martín Maldonado hits a sacrifice bunt during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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 shot in the ninth and Adam Frazier drove in the Royals’ first run with a single. Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits and was aboard for Perez’s homer after beating out an infield single.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Will Smith throws against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

DeJong hit a two-run homer off Royals starter Brady Singer.

Chicago White Sox’s Andrew Vaughn reacts to striking out during the third inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Nick Anderson (1-1), the second of four Kansas City relievers, pitched a scoreless seventh for the win. James McArthur worked around DeJong’s double in the ninth for his fourth save.

Chicago White Sox’s Paul DeJong runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Kopech (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits in the eighth and was charged with his first blown save.

Chicago White Sox’s Paul DeJong, right, slaps hands with Eloy Jiménez after DeJong hit a home run during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Singer yielded two runs and three hits in five innings, walking three and striking out five. The right-hander had given up just two runs over 18 1/3 innings in three previous starts for a 0.98 ERA.

Chicago White Sox’s Paul DeJong hits a home run during the second inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon pitched five strong innings in his major league debut and exited 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.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde throws against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

“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 really 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. Nelson Velázquez hit a line drive to center field, but Fletcher slipped twice and the ball sailed over him for a double.

Chicago jumped on top 2-1 in the bottom half on DeJong’s third homer.

Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham was expected to report to Triple-A Charlotte after finalizing a minor league contract with the White Sox on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Alec Marsh (2-0, 4.32 ERA) faces Baltimore RHP Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96) in Kansas City on Friday.

White Sox: LHP Garrett Crochet (1-2, 3.57 ERA) takes the mound Friday in Philadelphia against RHP Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 1.80).

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