Derek Hill’s pinch-hit homer in the 8th lifts the Chicago White Sox to a 6-5 win: ‘That’s what I’m here for’

Venable credited Hill for being prepared for the situation.

“That’s the really tough part of the job,” Venable said. “You don’t know when these opportunities are going to come, and sometimes there’s a lot of space between opportunities and you’ve just got to stay ready.

“Derek does a great job making sure that he’s prepared, the things he does before the game and then during the game to put himself in a position to take advantage of opportunities.”

It was Hill’s second pinch-hit homer this season — the first came against the San Diego Padres on May 3 at Petco Park — and the third of his career.

“I’ve got a really good game plan the training staff and strength coaches have given me to prepare my mind and body to go out and succeed,” Hill said. “I just think of it as next man up. If not me, then the next guy behind me. That’s how we roll over here.

“I was just glad God was able to put me in that spot and help me come through and give all glory to him.”

Hill didn’t just shine the plate. He remained in the game at right field and made a diving catch on a sinking liner by Witt for the first out of the ninth.

He said his mindset on the play was: “Don’t let it get by you. … That’s an inside-the-parker (if it gets by) because he flies.”

Hill then tracked down Salvador Perez’s fly ball in foul territory to end the game.

“I can’t say enough good stuff about Derek,” second baseman Chase Meidroth said. “He’s the man. Talk to him every day about at-bats. That was unbelievable, what he does. That guy prepares with the best of them every day. He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve ever played with.

“He’s a dog. You saw that today in what he can do on the field. As cool as that home run was, I love that diving catch.”

Hill’s home run was one of three for the Sox. Drew Romo hit a solo shot to begin a five-run fifth. Meidroth capped the inning with a three-run homer, giving the Sox a 5-2 lead.

The Royals responded with three in the sixth against reliever Tyler Schweitzer to tie the score. Hill broke the tie in the eighth, and the Sox (20-21) went on to collect their third straight victory.

“Oh, my God, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball,” Hill said of this season with the Sox. “It’s incredible. Every guy is pulling from the same side, whoever gets called up, traded over here, it doesn’t matter. Everybody is pulling from the same side in this clubhouse.”