Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Chicago on Saturday.Erin Hooley/The Associated Press
Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run homer and Colson Montgomery followed with a solo shot in Chicago’s three-run sixth inning as the White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Saturday for their second straight victory.
Murakami’s 431-foot shot to straightaway centre off Brendon Little was his fourth homer and first at home since signing with the White Sox (3-5) as a free agent in December. He added a sacrifice fly to finish with three RBIs. Miguel Vargas added two hits, including a double.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the sixth to give Toronto (4-4) a 2-1 lead. Pinch hitter Nathan Lukes drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Before the game, the Blue Jays placed two-time All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk on the injured list with a dislocated and fractured left thumb.
Chris Murphy (1-0), the third of six Chicago pitchers, worked one inning and earned the win. Seranthony Dominguez worked around a single and walk in the ninth for his first save.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays watches the flight of a two-run home run in the sixth inning.Matt Dirksen/Getty Images
Little (0-2) got only one out, while allowing three runs on three hits.
Murakami’s sac fly in the first gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead off Toronto opener Mason Fluharty. Lazaro Estrada followed with four scoreless and hitless innings.
Chicago right-hander Grant Taylor opened and pitched a scoreless inning for a second straight day. Anthony Kay followed and pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and Guerrero’s two-run homer, a 437-foot shot to left-centre that gave the Jays the lead.
After Murakami and Montgomery gave Chicago a 4-2 lead, Lukes’ sac fly cut it to 4-3 in the seventh.
The White Sox added two unearned runs in the eighth on a botched rundown when Toronto catcher Tyler Heineman threw the ball over third base and into left.