Abreu homers, Hendriks escapes in 9th as White Sox beat Rays

CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu homered for the first time this season, closer Liam Hendriks left the bases loaded in the ninth inning and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 Saturday.

Michael Kopech threw five solid innings, and Yasmani Grandal singled away from the shift to put Chicago ahead in the sixth. Eloy Jiménez and Tim Anderson added two hits apiece for the White Sox, who have won six of seven and are off to a 6-2 start for the first time since 2016 despite several key injuries.

“We’ve got a good group of guys in here,” Hendriks said.

Wander Franco doubled for the reigning AL East champion Rays, who have lost four straight after beginning the season 3-0.

“We’re 4-5 for a reason,” manager Kevin Cash said. “A lot of it is because we haven’t been as crisp on defense, we’ve been running into outs. That is a little uncharacteristic for this club, but we’re going to work hard to get it right.”

Hendriks struck out Taylor Walls in the ninth for his fourth save after intentionally walking pinch-hitter Ji-Man Choi to load the bases. Hendriks also got the save in a 3-2 win Friday night.

Kopech allowed an unearned run and a hit, struck out five and walked two in his first career appearance against the Rays. The right-hander has moved to the rotation after making 40 bullpen appearances and four starts last year, his first full major league season.

Reynaldo López (2-0) allowed a run in an inning.

Corey Kluber, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, gave up two runs and four hits in five innings. He signed an $8 million, one-year contract as a free agent with Tampa Bay.

Grandal’s single off Ryan Thompson (1-1) gave the White Sox the lead for good in the sixth. Luis Robert scored after reaching on an error.

“Good piece of hitting,” Cash said. “Obviously, I’m taking the gamble of shifting everybody over.”

Manuel Margot singled off López to tie it 2-2 in the top of the inning. Yandy Díaz was unable to score on an errant throw to third.

Abreu homered off Kluber for a 2-1 White Sox lead in the fourth. Anderson scored after a leadoff infield single — the first hit given up by Kluber — and advanced on Kluber’s pickoff error.

“Made a mistake to Abreu, left a breaking ball up,” Kluber said. “We’ve got a lot of history against each other, not really any secrets.”

The White Sox lead the AL Central despite having pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, third baseman Yoan Moncada and outfielder AJ Pollock on the injured list.

Harold Ramirez’s sacrifice fly gave the Rays the lead in the first.

“He could have gotten distracted and turned it into a crooked-number inning,” manager Tony La Russa said about Kopech. “I was really pleased, and he just got better and better.”

GONE

Randy Arozarena was ejected for the first time in his career after he tossed his bat in response to a called strikeout in the sixth.

“It was a tight game at that point and I thought the umpire made a bad call, so I was upset about it so I threw the bat,” he said through an interpreter.

ON THE MOVE

The Rays acquired RHP Javy Guerra, who was designated for assignment by San Diego, for cash considerations. RHP Shane Baz (right elbow surgery) was moved to the 60-day injured list.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: LHP Shane McClanahan might start Monday against the Cubs in place of LHP Ryan Yarbrough (left groin tightness), Cash said.

White Sox: Pollock (hamstring) is about 80% and will “soon” go to Triple-A Charlotte for at-bats, La Russa said. … Moncada (right oblique strain) is improving but feels discomfort during certain moves, La Russa said. … 3B Josh Harrison (sore back) returned to the lineup.

UP NEXT

RHP Vince Velasquez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) is scheduled to start for the White Sox in Sunday’s series finale. RHP Jonathon Feyereisen is slated to open for the Rays.

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