New dad Lopez in good form
Fatherhood seems to agree with Reynaldo Lopez.
The White Sox right-hander threw 72⁄
3 solid innings Saturday afternoon, the second part of a personal doubleheader that included being at his wife’s side for the birth of their first child — daughter Zoe — at 5:15 p.m. Friday at Northwestern Memorial’s Prentice Women’s Hospital.
Lopez was outpitched by lefty Danny Duffy in a 5-0 loss to the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field but seemed sharp and thoroughly dialed in. He even made a strong fielding play in the eighth, throwing out Whit Merrifield at third base on a sacrifice-bunt attempt.
“When I came in (Saturday) morning I was feeling good, but because (of ) all the things that were happening around me I thought maybe I’ll throw four, five innings, and maybe my fastball is going to be around 92 mph,” said Lopez, who used a pink glove for the occasion. “But actually I felt really good.”
Lopez (4-7) gave up a two-run homer to Jorge Bonifacio, the second batter in the first inning, and a two-run homer to Salvador Perez, the last batter he faced. Neither of them was a bomb, but they left Lopez frustrated — after he exited, he slammed his glove down before heading up the tunnel.
Lopez was worried he would be fatigued but surprised himself by throwing fastballs that averaged 97 mph and hit 99, according to Brooks Baseball.
“I trusted my fastball today,” he said. “I was feeling great with that pitch. I was a little hyped too because of the birth of my baby and I think that was a help.”
Extra innings: Yoan Moncada left the game in the fifth inning after bruising his right knee in a collision with Paulo Orlando on a pickoff attempt at second base. X-rays were negative, and Renteria said Moncada might be able to play Sunday. … Nate Jones, sidelined since June 12 with a pronator strain in his right forearm, threw 20 pitches of live batting practice. He seems close to getting a minor-league rehab assignment. … Alec Hansen came out of Friday night’s game at Double-A Birmingham after three innings. The Sox expect an update on his condition Sunday. … Renteria was ejected in the fifth for arguing a check-swing call. It was his third ejection this season and 16th with the Sox.