Anderson's busy day ends in White Sox's 5-4 win over Royals

Following a weekend series against the Yankees in New York and a Sunday flight back to Chicago that was delayed nearly four hours by snow, Tim Anderson probably could have used some extra sleep before the White Sox played the Royals Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Anderson - who also became a new father on April 1 - wouldn't have missed taking a group of students to a special screening of the film "42" for the world, especially on Jackie Robinson Day.

"It was good," Anderson said. "We showed '42' and just let those kids see what really happened and what really went on. It's tough to watch it, but brave on his part. For (Robinson) to be the guy to go through that, to just be a leader and basically break the (color) barrier. He's a guy that I look up to and a guy that motivates me when I step on the field."

With players on both teams wearing No. 42 to honor Robinson, the Sox beat Kansas City 5-4.

Anderson had another big game in the win, going 3-for-4 while raising his batting average to .453, tops in the majors.

"I've been working hard," Anderson said. "You guys don't see that, but I think it's showing. I'm proud and happy to be in the position that I'm in. I feel like my work's paying off, and I'm going to continue to work.

"I don't need all the rest of the stuff that comes with it. I just want to play."

Anderson has been getting a lot of media attention over the first three weeks of the season. He doesn't like it much, but understands where it's coming from.

"I know how good I want to be," Anderson said. "These guys feed off my energy so it's very important to show up every day being ready to go."

Not only is Anderson swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball, the White Sox's 25-year-old shortstop seems to make at least one spectacular defensive play a game.

"He's off to a great start," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We'll see if he can maintain it, watch to see if he continues to grow. I've always liked him, a talented player. You could tell the skill set's definitely there."

With the Sox trailing Kansas City 4-3 in the eighth inning, Anderson led off with a double and Welington Castillo followed with a 2-run homer to decide the outcome. Castillo was riding an 0-for-20 slump before coming through in the clutch.

"I knew it was gone," Anderson said. "Great moment for him, even better for the team."

Making his second start of the season for the White Sox after a rocky debut. Ervin Santana looked a little better while pitching 5 innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Manny Banuelos followed with 3 scoreless innings of relief.

Alex Colome pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the White Sox, earning the 100th save of his career.

"It means a lot," Colome said through a translator. "I'm very happy and I'm proud."