SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeremy Guthrie, the starting and losing pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series, got off to rough spring debut Tuesday and the Kansas City Royals lost to the Chicago White Sox 6-2.
Micah Johnson went 4 for 4, scored two runs and drove in one as the White Sox handed the Royals their first loss this spring after six wins.
Guthrie yielded three runs on four hits and a hit batter in the first inning, but retired the last four batters he faced.
“This one was a little more relaxed,” Guthrie said than his final World Series start. “The crowd wasn’t too scary here, not too much pressure.”
Guthrie had a modest goal for his debut.
“I wanted to throw a fastball harder than 91 (mph),” he said. “That’s what I was hoping for. You disappear for five months and come back and hope the arm goes as fast as before. I had the arm strength up and located pitches.”
Guthrie said he reached his goal.
“I did. I peeked up at the board,” he said.
Guthrie noted he lit up radar guns with speeds of 147 to 149 in November, while touring Japan with a major league All-Star team.
“That’s kilometers,” he said and smiled.
Johnson has six straight hits, including a tying, ninth-inning homer Monday against Arizona, to raise his average to .500.
Jose Abreu, the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year, contributed two hits, drove in a run and scored a run.
Jarrod Dyson led off the Royals first with a homer against Tyler Danish, a highly touted White Sox prospect. Danish, 20, permitted two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
“That was definitely big for me to see what I saw live today,” Danish said. “It was challenging, the World Series runner-ups, my first start in spring training. I like the competition. I’m glad I got to do it against them.”
STARTING TIME
White Sox: LHP John Danks threw four innings in a simulated game at Goodyear, instead of facing the Royals. The White Sox open the season April 6 at Kansas City and play the Royals 19 times this season, including seven in April.
Royals: LHP Brandon Finnegan, who went from a 2014 first-round draft pick to pitching in the World Series, allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in two innings.
THOMPSON BROTHERS
Golden State guard Klay Thompson, a NBA All-Star, was at Surprise Stadium to see his brother, Trayce Thompson, a White Sox outfield prospect. Klay scored 25 points Monday in the Warriors’ victory over the Phoenix Suns and remained in town to watch his brother. Trayce went 0 for 1 with a walk and started in right field.
FAREWELL TOUR
White Sox reserve OF Michael Taylor, 29, announced his retirement. Taylor hit .167 in 37 games in parts of three seasons with Oakland and the White Sox. … OF Engle Beltre, who hit .250 in 22 games last season with Texas, was moved over from the minor league camp to replace Taylor. Beltre pinch ran and subbed in center, going 1 for 1.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: Manager Robin Ventura said INFs Leury Garcia and Matt Davidson are battling shoulder soreness.
Royals: LHP Tim Collins, who has elbow ligament damage, will see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for a second opinion to see if surgery is warranted. … LF Alex Gordon took batting practice swings for the first time and said his right wrist, which required surgery in December, feels close to 100 percent.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Top prospect LHP Carlos Rodon, who struck out four Padres in two innings Friday, starts against the Rangers.
Royals: 2B Omar Infante, who received a cortisone shot for a bone spur in his right elbow, is scheduled to DH Wednesday against the Reds at Goodyear. The Royals have a split squad, hosting the Padres with RHP Yordano Ventura starting.
— Associated Press —
In its home opener, the Northwest Missouri State softball team picked up a pair of 2-1 victories over Upper Iowa Wednesday afternoon in Maryville, Mo.
