White Sox 1, Royals 0
Chris Sale struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings and Tyler Flowers homered as Chicago edged visiting Kansas City on Opening Day.
Sale (1-0), who was given a five-year, $32.5 million extension during spring training, scattered seven hits and walked one. Alexei Ramirez and Alex Rios recorded two hits apiece and Addison Reed stranded the tying run at second base to earn the save for the White Sox, who have won four of their last five openers.
James Shields (0-1) struck out six and was charged with one run on eight hits to suffer the tough-luck loss for the Royals.
Shields left a 2-2 changeup up in the zone to Flowers leading off the fifth and the slugging catcher blasted it into the seats in left.
Sale was lifted after allowing a two-out single to Alcides Escobar in the eighth. Right-hander Nate Jones walked Billy Butler and unleashed a wild pitch that allowed Escobar to reach third, but lefty Matt Thornton came on and struck out Mike Moustakas to end the threat.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Former White Sox and Royals star Bo Jackson threw out the first pitch. … Chicago LHP John Danks was on hand for Opening Day but will return to extended spring training Tuesday and make a start there Thursday as he works his way back from shoulder surgery. … Escobar and Jeff Francoeur each went 2-for-4 for Kansas City.