White Sox’ Kopech done after rain delay

Michael Kopech’s major league debut was shortened by rain.

The White Sox and Twins, playing before a spirited crowd on hand to watch the Sox’ top pitching project, were delayed for 52 minutes in the middle of the second inning Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. With 52 pitches thrown in his first two innings, the Sox were cautious with their prized 22-year-old righty, lifting him from the game after two innings rather than risk sending him back out after a cool down.

Kopech allowed no runs on three hits with four strikeouts. He hit one batter and walked none.

Before the rain, Kopech kept the crowd on its feet for much of his first two innings in which he struck out four, walked none and hit a batter while allowing three singles. Kopech threw 35 of his pitches for strikes strikes through two innings of a scoreless game.

After the delay, Nicky Delmonico homered to center against Twins righty Jose Berrios — who returned after the rain — leading off the bottom of the second to make it 1-0.

AP Photo/David Banks

Jose Berrios started for the Twins.