Anderson, Chicago White Sox a big hit vs. Royals
All eyes were on top prospect Tim Anderson on Friday night at steamy U.S. Cellular Field, and the Chicago White Sox's new shortstop didn't disappoint with 2 hits and a run scored.
"It was a good one," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think he's just at that point where it's time to see what he can do. Again, he's not coming up here timid, he's ready to play."
Anderson was ready, and so were the Sox.
After dropping nine straight against AL Central opponents, and after blowing comfortable leads in three straight games at Kansas City two weekends ago, the White Sox hung on to defeat the Royals 7-5.
On a night when the wind was blowing out and the baseball was flying, Sox starter Chris Sale struggled. He pitched 6-plus innings and allowed 5 runs on 11 hits, including a pair of home runs to Eric Hosmer. He still managed to become the American League's first 10-game winner.
"Any time your guys come out and put 7 up, you want to do your best to give those guys a win," Sale said. "It didn't work out for myself tonight, but we're in here listening to some music and having a good time."
The Sox did a better job taking advantage of the conditions, as Alex Avila hit his first 2 home runs of the season while driving in 3 runs. Melky Cabrera gave the White Sox an early lead with a 2-run homer off K.C. starter Ian Kennedy in the third inning and Brett Lawrie added a solo shot in the fourth.
"It's an offensive night, so if you can get it in the air it's going to go," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But Hoz made some pretty good swings at (Sale). Just one of those nights. For us, we don't want to see them hit anything in the air and we want to hit everything in the air. Alex had a nice night offensively, a couple homers that turned out to be pretty big for you."
Draft update:
After picking Miami catcher Zack Collins (No. 10 overall), Louisville closer and Downers Grove native Zack Burdi (No. 26 overall) and Oklahoma pitcher Aslex Hansen (No. 49) on Thursday, the White Sox continued their run on college talent during the second day of the first-year player draft.
The Sox selected Ball State outfielder Alex Call on third round, Southeastern Louisiana outfielder Jameson Fisher on the fourth round and Fresno State pitcher Jimmy Lambert on the fifth round.
"We were really pleased with the bats we were able to add," said amateur scouting director Nick Hostetler. "We set out with a plan and that was to add more true baseball players to the organization. There's no question we did that.
"Maybe we expected one or two more high school guys, it's just kind of the way the draft fell, those college guys just fell right into our laps and we weren't going to pass on them."