Yermín Mercedes finally made an out, but not before becoming the first player since at least 1900 to begin a season with eight straight hits. The 28-year-old rookie for the Chicago White Sox got hits his first three times up Saturday night against the Angels before a flyout. On Friday night, Mercedes became the second player in the modern era to get five hits in his first career start, and the first to go 5 for 5. The previous best start to a season was by Cincinnati’s Chris Stynes, who began 1997 with seven consecutive hits. Mercedes was supposed to have the night off, but manager Tony La Russa said he earned his way into the lineup.