Sheets, Fedde help White Sox to DH split vs Royals, Chicago ends 6-game slide

CHICAGO (AP) — Gavin Sheets homered, Erick Fedde pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning and the struggling Chicago White Sox edged the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Wednesday for a doubleheader split that ended a six-game slide.

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning of the opener to put the Royals ahead, and Kansas City went on to win 4-2.

Paul DeJong had a five-hit day, adding two singles in the second game after going 3 for 3 in the first with a homer, double and walk. The White Sox are off to the worst start in franchise history at 3-15.

Fedde (1-0) allowed three hits, including two infield singles, over 5 2/3 innings for his first win with Chicago. The 31-year-old right-hander signed with the White Sox in December after pitching in South Korea last season.

Sheets' solo shot in the sixth off Michael Wacha struck the right-field foul pole and put Chicago ahead 2-0. Dominic Fletcher drove in Chicago's first run with a single in the fourth.

Hunter Renfroe knocked in a run with a groundout in the seventh against Tanner Banks, Chicago's first reliever. Deivi Garcia followed with two scoreless innings for his second career save and first this season.

Wacha (1-1) yielded two runs and four hits in six innings. The veteran righty struck out four and walked two.

In the opener, Perez homered off Michael Kopech to left-center to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. Kansas City’s eight-time All-Star catcher started both ends of the twinbill after missing Monday's game with a groin injury.

“Clearly, that home run was the huge point in the game," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But regardless, I thought (Perez) looked really good prior to that, too.”

Perez launched the first pitch he saw from the hard-throwing Kopech with two outs for his fifth home run.

“Not surprised. He earned that,” Quatraro said. “I mean, Kopech, that guy's got an electric arm. To be able to turn a fastball around like that, that's impressive.”

Perez, who turns 34 next month, was injured in a collision at the plate in a 2-1 loss to the Mets in New York on Sunday.

Renfroe added a solo shot in the ninth and Adam Frazier drove in the Royals’ first run with a single. Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits and was aboard for Perez's homer after beating out an infield single.

DeJong hit a two-run homer off Royals starter Brady Singer.

Nick Anderson (1-1), the second of four Kansas City relievers, pitched a scoreless seventh for the win. James McArthur worked around DeJong's double in the ninth for his fourth save.

Kopech (0-2) allowed two runs on two hits in the eighth and was charged with his first blown save.

Singer yielded two runs and three hits in five innings, walking three and striking out five. The right-hander had given up just two runs over 18 1/3 innings in three previous starts for a 0.98 ERA.

“These are the close games we need to win," he said.

White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon pitched five strong innings in his major league debut and exited with a 2-1 lead. The lanky 23-year-old right-hander allowed three hits, struck out three and walked one while throwing 54 of 79 pitches for strikes.

“I thought I did well. I thought I executed a lot of pitches,” said Cannon, who had family and friends in the stands. "I was really able to execute my game plan going in.

“It was a dream come true, really," he added. “I was standing on the mound before the game started, just taking it all in."

The doubleheader was scheduled after Tuesday night’s game was rained out.

Cannon retired his first five hitters and should have gotten a sixth to end the second. Nelson Velázquez hit a line drive to center field, but Fletcher slipped twice and the ball sailed over him for a double.

Chicago jumped on top 2-1 in the bottom half on DeJong’s third homer.

Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham was expected to report to Triple-A Charlotte after finalizing a minor league contract with the White Sox on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Alec Marsh (2-0, 4.32 ERA) faces Baltimore RHP Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96) in Kansas City on Friday.

White Sox: LHP Garrett Crochet (1-2, 3.57 ERA) takes the mound Friday in Philadelphia against RHP Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 1.80).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde throws against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde throws against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Gavin Sheets, Eloy Jiménez and Robbie Grossman, from left, celebrate the team's win over the Kansas City Royals in the second baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Paul DeJong hits a home run during the second inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Paul DeJong, right, slaps hands with Eloy Jiménez after DeJong hit a home run during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Paul DeJong runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Andrew Vaughn reacts to striking out during the third inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox's Martín Maldonado hits a sacrifice bunt during the fifth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Will Smith throws against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong, left, jumps trying to catch the ball as Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. steals second during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Kansas City Royals' Hunter Renfroe celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost 7-month-long war, as cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam.

Netanyahu's comments came hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel to advance the truce talks — which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began. The deal is meant to free hostages, bring some relief to the population and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.

Speaking to a group of bereaved families and one organization representing families of hostages held by militants, Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah to destroy Hamas’ battalions there regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages deal was struck or not.

“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question," Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office. “We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas' battalions there — with or without a deal, to achieve the total victory.”

Netanyahu has faced pressure from his nationalist governing partners not to proceed with a deal that might prevent Israel from invading Rafah, which it says is Hamas' last major stronghold. His government could be threatened if he agrees to a deal because hard-line Cabinet members have demanded an attack on Rafah.

But with more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people sheltering there, the international community, including Israel' top ally the U.S., has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.

It was not clear if Netanyahu's comments were meant to appease his governing partners or whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.

Netanyahu was addressing the Tikva Forum, a small group of families of hostages that's distinct from the main group representing the families of captive Israelis that has indicated it prefers to see Hamas crushed over the freedom of their loved ones. Families and their supporters have demonstrated in the thousands every week for a deal that would bring the hostages home, saying it should take precedence over military action.

The current deal being discussed, brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting as part of an initial phase, according to an Egyptian official and Israeli media. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released.

But a sticking point remains over what happens next. Hamas has demanded assurances that an eventual release of all hostages will bring a complete end to Israel’s nearly seven-month assault in Gaza and a withdrawal of its troops from the devastated territory. Israel has offered only an extended pause, vowing to resume its offensive once the first phase of the deal is over. The issue has repeatedly obstructed efforts by the mediators during months of talks.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected stopping the war in return for hostage releases, and says an offensive on Rafah is crucial to destroying the militants.

The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza to the brink of famine.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammad Jahjouh)

Mourners carry the bodies of members of the Abu Taha family who were killed in an Israeli airstrike, during their funeral at Al-Salam cemetery, east of Rafah, Gaza Strip. Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammad Jahjouh)