After a dismal 1-4 start to the season, the Chicago White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals on the road on Sunday. It also marked their fourth straight win.
Dallas Keuchel took the mound on Friday night for his second start in a White Sox uniform. Much like his first start, Keuchel was solid again, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up just two runs.
Right fielder Adam Engel provided all the offense the team needed with a three-run home run in the second inning, helping Keuchel improve to 2-0 with his new squad.
Saturday saw Gio Gonzalez get his first start for the White Sox more than 16 years after they originally drafted him. He only lasted 3.2 innings and surrendered five hits, with a high pitch count leading to his early exit.
Eloy Jimenez got the offense going with a three-run homer in the first inning, and Luis Robert went four-for-six at the plate with a home run of his own. The White Sox won 11-5 and bailed out Gonzalez in his return to Chicago.
Dylan Cease took the mound for Sunday’s afternoon game. He gave up two runs through six innings.
Offensively, second baseman and No. 4 prospect Nick Madrigal led the way with a four-for-five night in his MLB debut. Catcher Yasmani Grandal went three-for-four with three RBI.
The bullpen was one of the team’s biggest liabilities through four of their first five games, but it has dramatically improved since.
Offensively, this lineup is proving to be as dangerous as advertised. Their fourth straight win moved them into second place in the American League Central, two games behind the Minnesota Twins. With one-sixth of the season already over, the White Sox will look to maintain their momentum moving forward.
The White Sox travel to Milwaukee for the first two games of a four-game home-and-home series against the Brewers starting Monday. Wednesday and Thursday’s games will be in Chicago.
