Mercedes goes 5-for-5 in first start for White Sox
Yermin Mercedes had himself a night to remember Friday.
In his first career start for the White Sox, the designated hitter set a franchise record for most hits (5) in a 12-8 win over the Angels.
A catcher by trade, Mercedes singled in the third inning for his first major-league hit. He added a 2-run single in the fourth, a single in the sixth, a single in the eighth and a 2-run single in the ninth inning.
"He loves to hit," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's a real talent and we fully expect him to do something offensively to help us win the game."
Overcoming another shaky showing from the defense, Mercedes and the offense carried the White Sox to their first win of the young season with 13 hits.
In addition to Mercedes' 5-for-5 showing and 4 RBI, reigning MVP Jose Abreu hit a grand slam and Yasmani Grandal added a 2-run double.
Sox starter Dallas Keuchel threw 69 pitches over 4 innings and gave up a 3-run homer to Albert Pujols before the bullpen came in and overpowered Los Angeles.
In his first appearance since late in the 2018 season, Michael Kopech (1-0) was brilliant. The right-hander had 3 strikeouts over 2 scoreless innings while consistently throwing fastballs at 99 mph.
Matt Foster struck out the side in his 1 inning of relief.
The Sox's defense allowed 2 unearned runs in the eighth inning during Thursday's opener on second baseman Nick Madrigal's error and catcher Yasmani Grandal's passed ball, allowing the Angels to rally for a 4-3 win.
"They're going to go out there and do everything they can behind us," said White Sox relief pitcher Aaron Bummer, the tough-luck loser in the opener. "Nothing's changed, no one's pointing fingers, no one's doing anything. Today it didn't roll our way, tomorrow hopefully it does."
In Friday night's game, Los Angeles took advantage of some more porous Sox defense right out of the gate.
Abreu played Shohei Ohtani's grounder into a three-base error, and the Angels cashed in with a run.
L.A. scored 2 more unearned runs in the fifth inning after right fielder Adam Eaton dropped Anthony Rendon's flyball for another error.
Fortunately for the White Sox, Mercedes and the offense stepped up and Kopech and Foster were lights out in relief.
New closer Liam Hendriks made his Sox debut with two outs in the eighth inning. He got the save after throwing 34 pitches and allowing a 2-run homer to Ohtani.