Tim Anderson ejected, Elvis Andrus gets 2,000th hit in White Sox’ win over Giants

Tim Anderson was ejected, Dylan Cease walked five batters in five innings, Joe Kelly allowed two runs in the ninth and Eloy Jimenez was absent after landing on the injured list before the game.

What else could go wrong? Not much else did. The Sox even got two two-out hits and three RBI from Jimenez’s replacement at designated hitter, Gavin Sheets, in their 7-3 victory against the Giants.

The Sox did not miss Anderson, tossed for the eighth time in his career, as Hanser Alberto, his replacement on the field, rapped an RBI single in a two-run fifth against righty Logan Webb for a 4-1 lead. Andrew Benintendi, Yoan Moncada and Sheets had two hits, and Luis Robert had three, including a double.

Cease (1-0, 1.59 ERA), after a masterful start with no walks on Opening Day, was unable to pitch past the fifth inning because of a 99-pitch workload. He struck out eight, however, and allowed one hit, shaking off the effects of a head cold that affected his sleep the night before.

“With caffeine, you can get through something like that,” said Cease, who loaded up on coffee and Red Bulls.

Calling his own pitches again, Cease pinned the walks on “poor execution and not making adjustments.”

Anderson done early

Anderson was tossed in the third inning for something he shouted from the dugout after Robert was called out on strikes by umpire D.J. Reyburn.

Before Robert struck out — on two pitches that appeared to be outside — Anderson wasn’t granted time from Reyburn with two strikes, and Webb threw a pitch for a called strike before Anderson was set. Anderson thought Webb was quick-pitching him during the at-bat and was shouting at Webb, who yelled back.

“You have to be alert at a certain time, and he said he wasn’t alert,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said.

“He was OK with the strikeout, but emotions are emotions. That’s what makes him good, man. That passion that he brings. I have no problems with it at all.”

“I don’t necessarily think he should have gotten tossed,” Webb said. “He was talking to me. He wasn’t talking to the umpires, but I’m not going to listen to that [crap] for a bunch of pitches. It is what it is; I said what I said; that’s about it.”

Elvis Andrus moved from second base to play shortstop, and Alberto entered the game at second base.

Kopech in review

After Michael Kopech gave up five home runs to the Giants on Monday, he and the coaching staff suggested tipping pitches might have been a factor.

“We talked about it,” Grifol said. “We’ve looked at it. We’ve had our people look at it, our team look at it. I’ll keep that in-house, but there are going to be some adjustments made for sure.”

Elvis milestone

Andrus got the 2,000th hit of his career, a single past diving second baseman David Villar in the fifth inning.

For Andrus, 0-for-15 before the hit, it was worth the wait.

“It’s very tough when you’re right there and you’re about to accomplish a milestone,” said Andrus, who wanted badly to do it in Houston over the weekend with his family in attendance.

Andrus’ single set the table for an RBI single by Alberto and RBI double by Robert that gave the Sox a 4-1 lead.

At first base, Andrus lifted his arms in triumph, acknowledging the Sox’ dugout. Fans at Guaranteed Rate Field stood to applaud almost immediately after the hit.

In his 15th season, Andrus is fourth among active players in hits behind Miguel Cabrera (3,088), Joey Votto (2,093) and Nelson Cruz (2,018). He ranks 290th on the all-time list.

“It’s a great achievement; it’s a lot of hits; it’s a lot of memories,” Andrus said. “It means a lot for me, my family and the people who’ve helped me through my career.”

The baseball goes to his mother, Elvia.

“She has the first one, 500, 1,000, 1,500 and now this one,” he said. “She’s the reason why I’m here. She texted me already, ‘You better give me the ball.’ I sent her a picture and told her it’s in the box, and it will be here for you.”