Michael Kopech continues to learn with each start for the Chicago White Sox: ‘Lot of lessons in this first month’

Chicago White Sox starter Michael Kopech knows the elements can be part of a game.

The Sox and Cubs had to deal with the cold, wind and rain Tuesday in the City Series at Wrigley Field.

“The wind was the main thing. The wind was changing directions every inning,” Kopech said. “Sometimes (the elements) work with you and sometimes they work against you. Today, I felt like I was able to work with them for the most part. But it wasn’t too terrible.”

Kopech remained in control in the tough conditions, allowing four hits while striking out five and walking two in four-plus scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory against the Cubs.

“His stuff is electric,” said Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who homered in the win.

Kopech didn’t qualify for the victory; Reynaldo Lopez was credited with the win after getting a double play and a strikeout in the fifth. But Kopech helped the Sox win consecutive games for the first time since April 15-16 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Last year, I saw the hunger,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “I mean, he wants to be a starter. And when you have talent like that and you add desire?

“You see the way he works to get ready. The breaking ball is getting more consistent. He’s moving his fastball around. He’s got a changeup, and when it gets a little warmer, he’ll use that too.

“It was a tough day for pitching. In fact, I was going to get him out after four and he says, ‘I’m still good to go.’ I gave him a chance to be the winning pitcher. I said, ‘I’m not going to push it.’”

Kopech cruised through the first two innings, striking out three. He was tested in the third after a 14-pitch at-bat for Alfonso Rivas resulted in a walk, giving the Cubs runners on first and second with one out.

Seiya Suzuki ripped a liner that first baseman José Abreu caught. Abreu beat Rivas to first to complete a double play.

The Cubs loaded the bases in the fourth with a single, a walk and an error. Kopech got Yan Gomes to pop out to Abreu to end the inning.

Kopech exited after allowing a single to Nick Madrigal to begin the fifth. He lowered his ERA to 1.17 in the 83-pitch effort.

“For the most part they were taking pretty good at-bats,” Kopech said. “One in particular was Rivas, 14-pitch at-bat, ended in a walk. That changed my whole outing. Credit to him there.

“Also, I think some guys are going up there looking for a certain pitch and my job is to not give them that pitch or to execute a pitch that’s so good that they can’t touch it. I think I just caught a few guys in between tonight, and a couple of their guys got me.”

Kopech wanted to go at least five innings, but he also acknowledged the big picture.

“That’s the conversation, right?” he said. “I want to be healthy at the end of the year and able to go six, seven, eight or whatever in July, August, September, hopefully October. I completely understand, but I’m still in the position where I want to do it now. I want to do it in May, I want to do it in June, I want to do it in July.

“I just want to give the best performance I can for my team every time I take the mound. And (Tuesday) could have been that. But I understand that I’ve had some high pitch counts in earlier innings that kept me from being able to do that too. So I’ve got to be more efficient.”

Kopech continues to learn with each start.

“I don’t think I’ve pitched to the best of my capabilities, but I feel like I’ve had opportunities to grind and battle with what I do have,” he said. “With those opportunities, I’ve been able to take advantage of working with what I’ve got.

“Lot of lessons in this first month. But I think I’ve got a lot of improvements to make too.”