After splitting a four-game series with the major-league-best Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox hope to maintain momentum on Friday night when they host the Kansas City Royals.
The White Sox earned a walk-off, 3-2 victory in 10 innings Thursday on Tim Elko’s RBI single and also got a big effort from rookie infielder Chase Meidroth, who had two hits and walked three times.
“These guys do a great job of continuing to fight, continuing to be aggressive,” Chicago manager Will Venable said.
Kansas City, meanwhile, split Thursday’s doubleheader at St. Louis, recovering from a 6-5, 10-inning loss in the opener to win the nightcap 7-5.
Vinnie Pasquantino extended his on-base streak to 21 games for the Royals, who stopped a three-series losing streak by winning two of three from the Cardinals.
Jac Caglianone, Kansas City’s top prospect who was called up to the majors on Tuesday, delivered an RBI double in the opener for the first hit of his career.
“Choke up, spread out a little bit in the stance and try to make contact. … It was cool,” Caglianone said. “I was just thinking about my dad, my family being here and stuff.”
The White Sox are expected to call up catcher Kyle Teel, ranked by MLB Pipeline as their No. 2 prospect and No. 26 overall, to make his major league debut on Friday. He was acquired in the trade that sent left-hander Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox in the offseason.
Right-hander Davis Martin is slated to start for Chicago. Martin (2-6, 3.67 ERA) has worked at least six innings in each of his past four starts but wants to keep getting better after his start last Saturday in Baltimore.
Martin scattered four runs and five hits in six innings with one walk and three strikeouts in a 4-2 loss to the Orioles.
“Early on in my career, six [innings] and four [runs] is something I would be super pumped about,” said Martin, 28. “But I’m [mad] about it right now. It’s just continuing to learn, continuing to get guys out, be in the zone.”
Martin yielded home runs to the Orioles’ Jackson Holliday and Jorge Mateo but said, “I’m really happy with the conviction behind every pitch, even the home runs. It was just one of those days.”
Kansas City swept visiting Chicago in a four-game series from May 5-8. The Royals won the first three contests by a combined score of 9-4, including a pair of one-run victories, before walloping the White Sox 10-0 in the finale.
Martin was the loser in that game, scattering four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. In three career starts against Kansas City, he is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA.
Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.45 ERA) is set to start for the Royals as he seeks his first victory since May 1 at Tampa Bay.
Lugo endured his shortest start of the year on Friday, losing to visiting Detroit 7-5 after allowing four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
It was Lugo’s first appearance in 19 days following a sprain to his right middle finger. He has allowed two home runs in each of his past two starts.
Lugo took a no-decision against Chicago on May 6 in his team’s 4-3 win, yielding two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He is 3-0 with an 0.90 ERA in five career appearances against the White Sox, including four starts.
–Field Level Media
