Deep Space Five

South Side Sox has learned that the Chicago White Sox have petitioned the American League, effective immediately, to substitute what a team source will only call “dozens” of “Guaranteed Rate Field” games this summer with “home” contests at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Basically, the White Sox wish to relocate any open date to Kauffman (at least, when the Royals are on the road), eight hours south, in the City of Fountains. That includes several games where the White Sox were originally scheduled to host the Royals in Chicago; such games would be played in Kansas City, with the White Sox occupying the home dugout along the first-base line.

While the proposal actually being approved is considered a long shot, the Sox organization can’t be blamed for trying, having earned half of this season’s total wins so far at Kauffman Stadium, after Thursday night’s 6-3 triumph. In K.C., the White Sox hold a 1.000 winning percentage, while anywhere else, the Sox are playing at a .158 clip.

As was the case with an Opening Day onslaught of six home runs, the White Sox rode the longball to victory tonight, sending five balls over the wall to score their six runs — and all in the first six innings, at that. And, as with that first, crushing, 14-7 comeback win against the Royals back in March, Matt Davidson won the clubbing crown, sending two lasers over the fence.

Postgame, Davidson flashed a healthy helping of self-deprecation — or was it sass? — discussing his slump-busting first homer with Jason and Stoney:

“For some reason [while slumping before tonight], I decided to swing under the ball and miss it. So I decided to be a little more direct [tonight] and just try to hit a line drive, and it went out.”

Trayce Thompson, Welington Castillo and Yoan Moncada (leading off the game, natch) punched the rest of the Pale Hose’s bingo card of dingers on the night. Moncada slapped a sharp oppo single in his second at-bat and beat out an infield hit later in the game, for a three-hit night.

The other hero of the game was starter Lucas Giolito, falling just short of a quality start but pitching well enough to give him an unofficial one. In 5 ²⁄₃ innings, Giolito burned through 93 pitches and landed on an exactly-average game score of 50. The righthander got off the schneid, throwing 41 fastballs (averaging 92 mph) and 25 en route to 16 called strikes and eight swinging. The swinging strikes, in particular, have been rare for Giolito so far this season, so it’s welcome news that the youngster’s movement is heating up along with the temperature.

The White Sox now have 12 home runs in Kauffman Stadium this season — in just three games. The Royals? Seven, in 11.

The Royals are barely keeping ahead of Davidson, 7-5. With four games left to play in this series, let’s lay even odds of the Royals remaining ahead of Davidson by Sunday evening.