CHICAGO (AP) — J.P. France pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning in his second major league outing, José Abreu got a warm reception in his return to Chicago and the Houston Astros beat the White Sox 5-1 on Friday night.
The teams waited out more than a two-hour rain delay at the start. The White Sox honored Abreu with a pregame video tribute, and he responded by popping out of the dugout and pumping his fist as the crowd cheered before jogging toward the clubhouse.
Kyle Tucker walked and scored in the fourth. He also got Houston’s first hit when he chased Chicago starter Michael Kopech (1-4) with an RBI double in the fifth, making it 2-1.
The Astros scored two more in the sixth on back-to-back RBI doubles by Martín Maldonado and Mauricio Dubón against Gregory Santos. Yordan Alvarez homered in his second straight game when he led off the ninth with a long drive to right.
France (1-0) was terrific again after throwing five scoreless innings against Seattle last week in his major league debut. The 28-year-old right-hander went 6 2/3 innings in this one, allowing just one run and one walk.
Abreu, who won an MVP award and made three All-Star teams over nine seasons in Chicago before joining with the World Series champions last winter, was 1 for 5 with a single in the seventh. The Cuban slugger is batting .218 and still seeking his first homer after signing a $58.5 million, three-year contract.
Chicago’s Luis Robert hit a solo homer in the second. Kopech threw 94 pitches while setting a career high with six walks, and the White Sox lost again after dropping three of four at Kansas City.
TOSSED
Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker was ejected by plate umpire Mark Wegner in the top of the first inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Star Jose Altuve (broken right thumb) was set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. ... Manager Dusty Baker said OF Michael Brantley will be shut down “for awhile” because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Brantley looked like he was close to returning after being sidelined all season. But the five-time All-Star remains out indefinitely. ... OF Chas McCormick (back tightness) was out of the lineup for the third straight game. He missed 20 games before playing Monday against the Angels in Los Angeles.
White Sox: 3B Yoán Moncada returned to the lineup after being sidelined since April 9 because of lower back soreness. The switch-hitting Moncada said through an interpreter he feels “pretty normal” from the left side, though he’s still experiencing some discomfort from the right. Chicago optioned infielder Lenyn Sosa to Triple-A Charlotte and outrighted right-handed pitcher Alexander Colomé to the minor league club.
UP NEXT
White Sox ace Dylan Cease (2-2, 5.58 ERA) looks to end a string of rough starts, while RHP Brandon Bielak (0-1, 4.15) gets the ball for the Astros. Cease is 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA in his past four outings.
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