Sheets on hometown HR: 'It was a fun night'

Playing at Camden Yards was a really special moment for Gavin Sheets. Not only did his father, Larry, play for the Orioles, but he also grew up just 20 minutes from the ballpark. The rookie started his 10th Major League game in front of friends and family, and he put on a show.

In the White Sox 12-1 victory over the Orioles on Friday night, Sheets smacked his third home run of the season in the top of the seventh inning. The 380-foot blast to right-center field gave the White Sox even more insurance after their offensive eruption the inning before.

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Manager Tony La Russa joked that Sheets had to be convinced to play Friday once the lineup was announced, with the designated hitter batting eighth in the order. With a laugh and a huge smile, the rookie took over in his postgame press conference, saying not to listen to the skipper.

“The smile on his face was all any of us needed,” said La Russa. “He was just so happy, so thrilled to do it here in his father's ballpark with his family here. We all celebrated it with him.”

Sheets couldn’t help but smile when talking about his home run and the experience of playing in front of family and friends. When he crossed home plate, his dad was the first person he saw.

“I think that was a cooler moment for him than any time that he played,” said Sheets, when asked what his father said to him when they shared a hug postgame. “I think he would tell me the same thing. Just seeing the joy he had there, that was a special moment for both of us.”

Sheets had more than 50 people at Camden Yards for the series opener, including his grandparents, who hadn't seen him play in person at the big league level before Friday.

“That was crazy,” said Sheets. “The debut was special, it was obviously a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But, man, I think I had to keep my emotions in check more tonight. That first at-bat, I think I was more jittery than I was in Chicago [for my debut].”

The feel-good home run added to the White Sox offense, which pounded out 15 hits in the win and recorded double-digit runs for the eighth time this season.

Until the top of the sixth frame, the White Sox and Orioles were playing a close game, with Chicago leading, 2-1. However, the Sox quickly figured out Baltimore’s bullpen, putting up four runs in the inning with five of the nine batters in the inning working a walk.

“Just to see the way the guys who supported me since high school showed up tonight, and even made some shirts with ‘Sheets’ on it,” said Sheets. “I know those aren't in stores yet, so I know they had someone make them. I could hear [them] the whole game and man, it was a fun night. And to get that win was as fun as anything. I think it's going to be a fun clubhouse right now.”

Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, who tossed seven innings for the fourth time this season while only allowing one run, confirmed that the vibe in the clubhouse was the kind you want heading into the All-Star break.

“I hardly ever smile after games, but this one was nice just to end the break on a positive note and kind of get back to the things I wanted to do,” said Keuchel. “That's why I'm smiling. … We have a [knack] for big moments with some of these young guys. Gavin got in on the action today. We're getting contributions from some of our young guys, which in the big leagues is never easy.”