Michael A. Taylor and Salvador Perez each hit home runs as the visiting Kansas City Royals snapped an 11-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.
Both teams lost a key player in the top of the second inning when Hunter Dozier collided with reigning American League Most Valuable player Jose Abreu. Dozier popped up a Lucas Giolito pitch and headed to first with his head down as Abreu charged.
The popup was caught in foul territory by catcher Yasmani Grandal, but neither Dozier nor Abreu saw the other. After both players stayed on the ground for a few minutes, Abreu limped off the field. Dozier was replaced in the field in the bottom of the inning.
Abreu’s injuries included a facial contusion as well as a bruised knee. Initial assessment for a concussion was negative. Dozier was removed with a quad contusion and neck discomfort.
Brad Keller (3-4) allowed two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.
Giolito (2-4) took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits in six innings. It was just the second time the Royals have scored five runs against Giolito in 15 starts.
The White Sox plated a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Abreu. Tim Anderson led off with a walk, advanced to third base on a single by Yoan Moncada and scored on Abreu’s flyout.
Following the collision, Taylor launched the first pitch he saw into the picnic seats in right for his first home run since April 3. His two-run shot also scored Jorge Soler.
The Royals recorded three more runs off Giolito in the third. Carlos Santana walked and went to third on a single by Andrew Benintendi. Perez’s blast landed just beyond the fence in right, giving the Royals a 5-1 lead.
Zack Collins, who replaced Abreu in the lineup, led off the fourth with a double. He scored on Andrew Vaughn’s sacrifice fly.
Santana drove in Nicky Lopez with an RBI single in the seventh.
-Field Level Media
