White Sox's Michael Kopech: Shaky in eighth-inning appearance
Rotowire
Kopech allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out two to earn a hold Tuesday against the Twins.
Kopech was used in the eighth inning, and he primarily matched up against the top of the Twins' lineup. He allowed a leadoff single and later in the inning served up a two-run home run to Trevor Larnach. Kopech still maintained a one-run lead for the White Sox to earn his first hold of the season. The sample of the team maintaining a lead late in games is small, but it appears that manager Pedro Grifol is comfortable using Kopech in the highest-leverage situations rather than using him solely in save situations.
Kopech threw a scoreless inning during which he didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two Sunday against the Phillies.
Kopech made his first appearance since blowing a save chance Wednesday. While it wasn't in a save situation, Kopech was nevertheless impressive, retiring the side on 13 pitches while generating three swinging strikes. He's now turned in six scoreless performances in nine appearances this season, also maintaining a 17:6 K:BB across 11.1 innings.
White Sox's Michael Kopech: Takes loss, blown save vs. Royals
Rotowire
Kopech (0-2) blew the save and ultimately took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Royals, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one.
Called upon to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning, Kopech gave up a one-out single to Bobby Witt before Salvador Perez launched a two-run homer, sticking Kopech with his first blown save and the loss. The right-hander has already earned a pair of multi-inning saves this season, meaning Kopech is 2-for-3 in save chances this year with a 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB through his first 10.1 innings.
