(670 The Score) A quick trip to Kansas City for a makeup game Monday afternoon started terribly for the White Sox.
Right-hander Michael Kopech exited the game with what the team called left knee soreness in the bottom of the first inning without recording an out and with Chicago trailing 1-0 and Kansas City having loaded the bases. Kopech appeared to suffer the injury while throwing a warmup pitch ahead of the bottom of the first. Kopech grimaced after throwing a pitch, after which he received a visit from manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Ethan Katz and the team trainer.
Kopech gave it a go anyway, but he looked to be in discomfort. His first fastball was 88 miles per hour, well below his 95-mph average, and he lacked control in walking two batters and hitting another.
Right-hander Jimmy Lambert then replaced Kopech after the fourth batter of the game. Manager Tony La Russa explained that he let Kopech start the game because after being tended to on the mound and throwing ensuing warmup pitches, he reported no pain.
"He threw some balls to make sure, and he didn't feel any pain," La Russa told reporters. "So if you feel no pain and it doesn't affect your arm, then let's see what you got. You see his velocity was down, so we didn't push it."
The Royals ended up scoring four times in the first inning to take control early. The White Sox later rallied to tie before losing 6-4 by allowing two runs in the eighth inning.
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