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Tim Anderson’s 1st-pitch home run sparks the Chicago White Sox’s 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of a doubleheader

lamond pope, chicago tribune
·2 min read

Tim Anderson had the accurate description.

“One pitch, one run.”

Anderson ignited the Chicago White Sox offense in the first game of Sunday’s split doubleheader, homering on Tanner Houck’s first pitch.

The shortstop went 3-for-4 to help the White Sox to a 3-2 victory against the Boston Red Sox in the seven-inning game at Fenway Park.

“He’s such an important part of the spirit of this team,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “You know we’ve got a chance in the top of the first, or the bottom of the first, because he’s always ready to take an at-bat.”

Dallas Keuchel allowed two runs on six hits with one strikeout in five-plus innings for the victory.

“I felt pretty good,” Keuchel said. “This was one of the first times I really felt like myself. That’s good to see for myself.”

Anderson gave him the early lead with his ninth career leadoff home run. He’s tied for second on the team’s all-time list with Adam Eaton and Tim Raines. Ray Durham holds the team record with 20.

“I was looking for something in my zone,” Anderson said. “He came there and it was something firm and I was able to stay through it and drive it to right-center and it was able to get out, 1-0.”

Yoán Moncada aided the White Sox offensively and defensively.

He drove in a run with a two-out single in the top of the fifth to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead. And in the bottom of the fifth, the third baseman fielded a hard-hit grounder by Kevin Plawecki, spun and threw to second to start an inning-ending double play.

“Some of the plays he made behind me were unbelievable,” Keuchel said.

Enrique Hernández homered down the right-field line to begin the sixth for the Red Sox, making it 3-2. That was Keuchel’s final batter.

Aaron Bummer got a double play and a strikeout in the sixth to maintain the one-run lead.

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh for his second save in three chances.