CHICAGO — — Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the eighth to put the Royals ahead, and Kansas City beat the struggling Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Perez homered off Michael Kopech to left center for a 3-2 lead. Kansas City’s eight-time All-Star catcher started Wednesday after missing Monday with a groin injury.
Nick Anderson (1-1), the second of four Kansas City relievers, pitched a scoreless seventh for the win. James McArthur worked around trouble in the ninth for his fourth save.
Then the White Sox earned the double header split with a 2-1 win.
Michael Wacha took the loss for Kansas City, working six innings allowing two runs on four hits, striking out four.
The Royals host Baltimore Friday at 6:40.