A late two-run homer by Salvador Perez helped the Kansas City Royals top the Chicago White Sox 4-2 in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. Chicago clung to a 2-1 lead for most of the game after Paul Dejong's second-inning two-run homer. The White Sox have now lost six games in a row.
Chicago called upon another farmhand, Jonathan Cannon, to make his MLB debut on Wednesday, following teammate Nick Nastrini's first big-league start on Monday. Cannon, a 2022 White Sox draftee, is the first pitcher from that class to make his MLB debut, which was scheduled for Tuesday but postponed due to rain.
Debut Cannon
Cannon slightly outshined his peer's debut as he cruised through five innings, allowing only one run on three hits and a walk. He fanned three and tossed 54 strikes in 79 pitches.
The only blemish on his line came in the second inning when center fielder Dominic Fletcher slipped twice on Nelson Velazquez's two-out fly ball. The Royals DH reached second and scored on Adam Frazier's base hit.
Searching for Bare Minimum
The White Sox' dismal offense staked their rookie starter to a lead in the bottom half of the frame. Paul DeJong launched his team-leading third homer, a two-run blast off of Brady Singer with one out and Eloy Jimenez, who walked, on first base.
DeJong went 3-for-3 with a walk, a single, and a double. However, the White Sox' abysmal offense produced only three additional hits — all singles — and two walks.
Jordan Leasure relieved Cannon in the sixth, holding the Royals scoreless despite a ground-rule double and walk. The rookie reliever hasn't allowed a run in 2024 through his first 7.1 innings.
Steven Wilson lowered his ERA to 1.13 with a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh, his sixth straight appearance without allowing a run.
Not Good Enough
White Sox pitching could only hold the lead until one out in the eighth. Bobby Witt Jr. beat out an infield single and quickly stole second base. Michael Kopech retired Vinnie Pasquantino but, with two outs, surrendered a homer and the lead.
Dominic Leone gave up a long solo homer to Hunter Renfroe in the ninth for the Royals' fourth and final run.
News and Notes
The White Sox appointed left-hander Jared Shuster to serve as the 27th player for the doubleheader.
Nastrini and Cannon are the first White Sox pitchers to make back-to-back debuts since 1932.
What's On Tap Next?
The White Sox and Royals play the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader to conclude the three-game series. Erick Fedde will toe the rubber for Chicago against Kansas City's Michael Wacha. First pitch is scheduled for 4:25 and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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