CHICAGO — The first pitch White Sox starter Michael Kopech threw Friday night nearly hit Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the head
Unfortunately for the Royals, that was not a sign of Kopech struggling with his command at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kopech retired the first 16 Royals batters and the White Sox won, 2-0.
Royals second baseman Michael Massey broke up the perfect game with a looping single to right in the sixth inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed by hitting into a double play.
That was the only base runner of the game for the Royals.
Kopech faced the minimum 24 batters in his eight innings pitched, and he struck out 10, getting 18 swings and misses in the game.
Kendall Graveman retired the Royals in order in the ninth inning.
Defensive gems
Royals starter Zack Greinke made a great defensive play that held the White Sox to just two runs in the second inning.
Greinke also was helped by his corner outfielders.
MJ Melendez, who came up as a catcher, made a couple of nice catches in right field. Nick Pratto, who also plays first base, came up with a sliding grab in the first inning to rob former Royal Andrew Benintendi of a hit.
Kowar debut
Jackson Kowar made his 2023 debut in the sixth inning. He came on in relief of Greinke with two out and a runner on third.
Kowar invited disaster by walking the first two batters he faced, then falling behind 3-1 to Jake Burger.
Catcher Salvador Perez visited Kowar and the pep talk worked as he got Burger to ground to Witt in the hole at shortstop; his strong throw got the final out of the inning.
Kowar bounced back and retired all six batters over the next two innings.
Injury report
Center fielder Drew Waters had a triple for Triple-A Omaha in Friday night’s game against Toledo. Waters is on a rehab assignment after suffering an oblique injury in spring training. He also had some back soreness earlier this month.
“He said he’s felt great,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s playing really well in the field. He’s had no issues with the oblique or the back soreness so we’re really happy with that.
“We’re taking it day by day with him as well to see how he bounces back from two games in a row, three games in a row and then see how it goes.”
What’s next
The Royals will face the White Sox two more times in the series. Jordan Lyles will be on the mound Saturday, facing Lucas Giolito. The Royals haven’t announced a starter for Sunday’s finale.
