Royals right-hander Zack Greinke had an 0-6 record with a 7.78 ERA in eight previous games at U.S. Cellular Field, but he tamed the White Sox on Wednesday night.
Greinke gave up three singles in six-plus innings as the Royals shut out the White Sox 2-0 to even their record. He walked three and struck out seven. Manager Trey Hillman said he did not think Greinke had enough history in Chicago's South Side to consider skipping him for the opening three-game series.
"Go with your order and stick with it," Hillman said. "Both guys, one and two, have done a good job."
Greinke said he did not have a phobia about pitching in Chicago. He gave up eight runs in six innings in June 3 start and seven runs on 11 hits in three innings in a July 18 start last season in U.S. Cellular Field.
Gil Meche and Greinke have allowed one earned run and 10 hits in 13 innings in the first two games, striking out 13 and walking three.
"It's what Gil and me are supposed to do every time out," Greinke said.
ROYALS 2, WHITE SOX 0: The Royals bullpen failed in the season opener when RHP Kyle Farnsworth gave up a three-run homer to Jim Thome with two outs in the eighth. RHPs Juan Cruz and Joakim Soria, however, were perfect out of the 'pen Wednesday, retiring all nine batters they faced. Mike Aviles scored both Kansas City runs. He scored on a Coco Crisp ground-rule double in the third and a Mark Teahen single in the fifth. Both runs scored with two outs.
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