Moncada off to hot start, but White Sox drop second straight to Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Yoan Moncada is in a good place early in the season.

The White Sox are not.

Moncada played a standout defensive game at third base, his new position, in Thursday's season opener, a 5-3 loss to the Royals. The converted second baseman also went 1-for-3.

On Saturday, Moncada was 3-for-5 with his first home run of the season, a 2-run shot in seventh inning.

Unfortunately for the Sox, it wasn't enough in a 8-6 loss to Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

After the Royals jumped out to a 4-0 lead against White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez, Jose Abreu hit a 3-run homer in the sixth inning.

Lopez pitched 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits.

Moncada is off to a great start at the plate, and he has yet to strike out after leading the major leagues with 217 last season.

"I'm trying to be more aggressive on all the pitches," Moncada said through a translator. "I want to keep my approach, but at the same time, I know that I can keep my approach being aggressive from the first pitch. That's what I'm trying to do."