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Salvador Perez blasted a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning and five pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the visiting Kansas City Royals topped the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Wednesday afternoon in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

Back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game with injuries to his left hip and knee, Perez connected against Chicago closer Michael Kopech, who was attempting a six-out save.

Kopech (0-2) got two outs around a Bobby Witt Jr. (2-for-4) infield single before the Perez blast. Hunter Renfroe provided an insurance run with a solo homer against Dominic Leone in the ninth.

The late struggles wiped away White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon’s bid for a victory in his major league debut while spoiling a 3-for-3 day from Paul DeJong.

Cannon spaced one run and three hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked one.

Cannon needed just seven pitches to retire the side in order in the first inning. He set down the first five Royals overall, and the streak may have stretched to six if not for Dominic Fletcher’s slip in center field.

Fletcher was unable to catch up to a Nelson Velazquez line drive that fell for a double. Adam Frazier then singled to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

Chicago didn’t trail for long. Two batters after Eloy Jimenez drew a leadoff walk in the bottom half, DeJong connected for a two-run home run against Royals starter Brady Singer. It was DeJong’s team-leading third homer.

DeJong added a double for Chicago’s lone extra-base hits of the game.

Singer scattered two runs and three hits in five innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. His ERA climbed from 0.98 to 1.54.

Relievers Will Smith, Nick Anderson (1-1), John Schreiber and James McArthur followed Singer with one scoreless inning apiece.

McArthur notched his fourth save, fanning Robbie Grossman with a runner on second to end the game.

Royals relievers have pitched 17 1/3 scoreless innings against Chicago in six games this season.

–Field Level Media