José Abreu exits after a collision during White Sox’s 6-2 loss to Royals in Game 1 of doubleheader
CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu left Game 1 of a doubleheader Friday against the Kansas City Royals after colliding with Hunter Dozier while racing in for a popup between home plate and first base.
Dozier also exited the game, which the Royals won, 6-2, in front of 8,574 at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox (22-14) saw their winning streak end at six with the seven-inning loss. The Royals (17-20) snapped an 11-game losing streak.
The scary collision occurred in the second inning after Dozier hit a popup near the plate and started running to first. Abreu came in to try to make a play on the ball, and the two collided.
Both remained down for some time before exiting.
The Sox said Abreu is day to day with a facial bruise and laceration and a bruised left knee. The initial assessment for a concussion was negative.
Dozier was removed with a quad contusion and neck discomfort. He’s day to day.
Yasmani Grandal moved to first base while Zack Collins entered to catch for the Sox. Hanser Alberto replaced Dozier at third for the Royals.
Michael A. Taylor hit a two-run home run to right on the first pitch after the game resumed, giving the Royals a 2-1 lead. Salvador Perez hit a three-run home run to right in the third, making it 5-1.
Sox starter Lucas Giolito allowed five runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in six innings.
The Sox entered Friday with the best record in baseball despite injuries sidelining starting left fielder Eloy Jiménez (ruptured left pectoral tendon) and center fielder Luis Robert (torn right hip flexor).
Abreu, the 2020 American League MVP, had been heating up recently. He went 9 for 23 (.391) in his last six games entering Friday and had eight RBIs in his last four games. Abreu added to his RBI total in the first inning Friday with a sacrifice fly to right. He leads the team with 32 RBIs.
