Jose Abreu hit a two-run double in a three-run fifth inning, Dylan Cease pitched scoreless ball into the sixth, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.
Cease (4-1) wrangled out of trouble throughout, allowing runners in every inning. He gave up seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, with nine strikeouts — several in clutch situations.
The Royals struck out 14 times overall, went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.
Kansas City’s Salvador Perez left the game in the seventh inning with a left thumb sprain.
The Royals loaded the bases in the seventh with none out against Joe Kelly, who then struck out Carlos Santana — pinch-hitting for Perez — and Ryan O’Hearn. Hunter Dozier popped out to end the inning.