Munetaka Murakami hits a grand slam as the Chicago White Sox crush the Athletics 9-2
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Chicago White Sox broke out in a big way offensively Friday, crushing the Athletics 9-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 12,027 at Sutter Health Park. The Sox collected a season-high 15 hits while winning the opener of the three-game series.
First baseman Munetaka Murakami added the exclamation point, hitting a 431-foot grand slam that went over the batter’s eye in center field in the seventh inning. It was the team-leading sixth home run of the season for Murakami, and his first major-league grand slam. Murakami and designated hitter Andrew Benintendi both had three hits.
Benintendi doubled twice, scored two runs and had one RBI. Shortstop Colson Montgomery had two hits, two RBIs and a walk. Catcher Edgar Quero, second baseman Chase Meidroth and center fielder Luisangel Acuña also had two hits.
The nine runs matched a season high for the Sox. They also scored nine runs on March 30, topping the Miami Marlins 9-4 in a game that featured a grand slam by Miguel Vargas . Pitching also stood out Friday for the Sox (7-13).
Starter Davis Martin shined, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked two.