CHICAGO (AP) Two young sluggers who are considered pillars in the Chicago White Sox rebuilding plan came through with impressive drives on the same night.
Eloy Jiménez hit his first career grand slam, Yoán Moncada launched a monster two-run homer and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Tuesday night.
Adam Engel added a solo shot for as the White Sox won their second straight, but just their fourth in 14 games.
The White Sox expect Jiménez and Moncada to play prominent long-term roles as the team reshapes itself into a contender after a lengthy drought. Jiménez thinks their power show could continue for years.
It was really cool, Jiménez said. I hear it was the first game Moncada and me hit home runs in the same game. That is the first of many to come and it feels really good.
White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing spoke after the game in place of manager Rick Renteria, who left early from his first contest back after undergoing shoulder surgery last Friday.
Its nice that theyre going to be in the lineup hopefully for the next 10 years, McEwing said.
Jimenez drove a 1-1 pitch from Jakob Junis to the opposite field and into the right-field visitors bullpen in the first inning for his 25th home run and a 4-1 Chicago lead.
Threw a sinker down and in that was a pretty good pitch and he just sliced it opposite way for a homer, Junis said.
Moncadas 23rd homer, off Kevin McCarthy in the seventh, landed high in the batters eye and was measured at 452 feet.
He put that one almost in the scoreboard, Jiménez said.
Adalberto Mondesi, Alex Gordon and Ryan OHearn went deep for the Royals on a warm night when the ball carried well and every run was scored on a homer.
Ivan Nova (10-12) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings to snap his three-game losing streak. The right-hander yielded six hits, including the Royals three solo shots, while walking none and striking out five.
Thats the game, Nova said. You hit me, my team is going to hit you.
Junis (9-13) permitted five runs in five-plus innings in losing for the third time in four decisions.
