CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Eloy Jimenez hit his first career grand slam, Yoan Moncada launched a monster two-run homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Tuesday night.
Adam Engel added a solo shot for as the White Sox won their second straight, but just their fourth in 14 games.
Adalberto Mondesi, Alex Gordon and Ryan O'Hearn went deep for the Royals on a warm night where the ball carried well and every run was scored on a homer.
Ivan Nova (10-12) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings to snap his three-game losing streak. The right-hander yielded six hits, including the Royals' three solo shots, while walking none and striking out five.
Jakob Junis (9-13) permitted five runs in five-plus innings in losing for the third time in four decisions.
Mondesi homered in the top of the first to put Kansas City ahead.
The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning when Moncada's hot comebacker glanced off the heel of Junis' glove for an infield single. Jimenez followed, and he lined his 25th homer into the visitors' bullpen in right on a 1-1 pitch.
Gordon and O'Hearn went deep back-to-back to start the second. O'Hearn's blast bounced high off the center-field batter's eye.
Engel homered on the first pitch in the bottom half.
Moncada's 23rd homer, off Kevin McCarthy in the seventh, also landed high in the batter's eye and was measured at 452 feet.
SOUTH SIDE CROWN?
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson entered the game with an AL-leading .334 batting average, but went 0 for 4 to drop to .331. Other numbers are at play as the 26-year-old seeks to become the third batting champion in White Sox history, following Hall of Famers Frank Thomas (1997) and Luke Appling (1936 and 1943).
Anderson has only 435 at-bats because he missed five weeks with a right ankle sprain. To qualify for the batting title, a hitter needs 502 at-bats. Chicago has 18 games remaining.
Manager Rick Renteria said he'll try to get Anderson the at-bats he needs, but not at the expense of his "physical well-being."
"Obviously you know that something is at stake for him as well and you try to balance it as best you can," Renteria said.
FIRST LOOK
First baseman Andrew Vaughn, drafted No. 3 overall and signed by the White Sox out of Cal-Berkeley in June, made his first trip to Guaranteed Rate Field and met with players and coaches. Rated by Baseball America as the top hitter in the 2019 draft, Vaughn played for two Class-A teams this season.
RUFF NUMBERS
In addition to 15,196 human fans, 1,236 canines attended on Dog Night.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: RHP Jake Newberry (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day IL. He last pitched on Aug. 19.
White Sox: Renteria was back in the dugout -- with his right arm in a sling -- after undergoing right rotator cuff surgery on Friday and missing Chicago's weekend series against the Angels. Renteria attributed the injury mostly to "wear and tear," but said one throw earlier this year worsened his shoulder to a point where he needed surgery.
UP NEXT
Royals RHP Glenn Sparkman (3-11, 5.97 ERA) faces White Sox RHP Reynaldo Lopez (9-12, 5.17) on Wednesday night. Lopez threw an 11-strikeout one-hitter at Cleveland last Thursday.
