The Royals scored two runs in the first inning, but could not hold the lead and lost 5-3 to the White Sox in Chicago’s home opener at Comiskey Park.

Pat Kelly started the game by working a walk from Chicago starter Joe Horlen. Two outs later, Joe Foy belted his first home run of the season for a 2-0 lead. Foy would lead the Royals’ attack with two hits on the day.

But the White Sox immediately cut the lead in half, as Carlos May homered off Royals starter Dave Morehead leading off the bottom of the first.

The score stayed 2-1 until the fifth inning. Morehead walked Sandy Alomar to start the frame, and one out later, May homered again. Royals reliever Dave Wickersham retired the next two batters to end the inning with the Royals still down 3-2, but his sixth inning was not as successful.

In that inning, Wickersham gave up a two-out single to Duane Josephson, and Buddy Bradford followed with another two-run home run, giving Chicago a 5-2 lead.

Horlen pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and walking two while striking out three. He also benefited from three double plays. Counting the twin killing that ended the fourth inning, he retired 15 of the final 17 batters.

Two minor oddities about this game: just like the Royals’ previous game, this was scheduled as a one-game series, and it was played in a crisp one hour and 44 minutes.

Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA196904160.shtml

Today’s birthdays: Curt Young (1960), Justin Huisman (1979)