Kennedy's first save caps KC series win

KANSAS CITY -- Two weeks ago, Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy figured he was still a candidate for the rotation.

Two days ago, Kennedy made his first appearance out of the bullpen in 10 years.

And on Saturday, Kennedy nailed down his first Major League save in the Royals’ 8-6 win over the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The game was delayed 30 minutes at the start by rain.

It has been quite a journey for Kennedy, who has been a starter for the Royals in the first three years of a five-year deal he signed prior to the 2016 season.

Kennedy came into Saturday’s game instead of right-hander Wily Peralta, who was 14-for-14 in save opportunities for the Royals in 2018.

“I thought Wily was going to go in today,” Kennedy said. “He was kind of warming up and then they called and wanted me to warm up. That’s when the adrenaline and nerves kicked up. But nerves go away pretty quickly once you got [runners on] first and second. That’s when you know you can’t give up any more singles.”

Kennedy gave up two singles to start the ninth, but then got a flyout, a strikeout and a flyout to seal the deal. He said he had no indication in the previous days that he was even a candidate to close.

“Not that quick,” Kennedy said, smiling. “I don’t think we ever talked about roles. That’s why we all started getting ready about the sixth inning. I have noticed in the bullpen that things go pretty quick. You have everyone trying to stay ready.”

Asked if he could be the next Wade Davis -- whom the Royals converted to the bullpen with great success years ago -- Kennedy said, “Yeah, that’d be awesome. But I think all of us could mix and match in the bullpen right now. But yeah, I think it’d be cool. Love to do it tomorrow.”

Among pitchers to debut since 1969 when saves became official, Kennedy's 289 career starts before Saturday rank 10th in most games started before their first save.

Royals manager Ned Yost said he hasn’t decided on anyone in his bullpen to be the defined closer.

"I thought [Kennedy] was fine,” Yost said. “You know, he gave up a couple of hits right there to start the inning. One kind of semi-line drive down the right-field line, and then one with the infield kind of pulled in. Neither ball was crushed, but they got the tying run on first base. Then held the fort from that point. ...

"I like both [Peralta and Kennedy]. Now, I've got Wily for tomorrow if I need him. I like them absolutely both. We haven't decided on anybody doing anything right now. We're just trying to mix and match."

Meanwhile, while it took the Royals until May 6 of the 2018 season to get their first series win, they already clinched their first series win of 2019 before even getting out of the month of March.

Starter Jakob Junis was strong for five innings, holding the White Sox scoreless on two hits. Junis ran into trouble in the sixth when he gave up two singles and then left a 1-1 sinker over the plate to Jose Abreu, who crushed into the White Sox bullpen in left.

Junis left after 5 2/3 innings. He gave up six hits and three runs, walked one and struck out three.

The Royals’ offense got contributions from just about everywhere.

Newcomer Billy Hamilton, who had three hits, got things going with a single leading off the third. He scored on Adalberto Mondesi’s double off the wall in right. Later in the inning, Ryan O’Hearn’s two-run single made it 3-0.

Jorge Soler continued his hot steak with three more hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs. He has opened the season 5-for-8.

Hitting streak

Whit Merrifield’s two-run single in the sixth extended his hitting streak to 22 games -- he ended last season on a 20-game hitting streak.