D-backs get jump on White Sox with 6-run 2nd inning to beat Chicago

The second inning of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 7-2 win against the Chicago White Sox on Friday looked like it was just going to be just OK after having the potential to be much more.

Christian Walker and Daulton Varsho started it with back-to-back singles and then Jordan Luplow walked, loading the bases with nobody out. But an Alek Thomas sac fly and Carson Kelly pop out later left runners on the corners and two outs.

Three at-bats later, however, Arizona added five more runs to jump out to a commanding 6-0 lead.

Geraldo Perdomo in the nine-hole walked after Kelly’s out, loading the bases again, this time for Josh Rojas. The D-backs second baseman proceeded to knock a three-run double into left field.

Josh Rojas clears the bases with a triple! pic.twitter.com/Fj8Sef1fcK

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) August 27, 2022

And then as the three D-backs that scored were getting high fives in the dugout, third baseman Emmanuel Rivera crushed a first-pitch sinker 410 feet to left field for a two-run dinger and 6-0 D-backs advantage.

Emmanuel Rivera tacks on two more for the @Dbacks ! pic.twitter.com/Ky4UXxoPIo

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) August 27, 2022

One inning later, Varsho homered to make it seven unanswered Arizona runs.

#TheVarShow returns for a 2nd straight game! pic.twitter.com/TVreDI11Uo

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 27, 2022

It was a surprising development considering who was on the mound for Chicago.

Right-hander Johnny Cueto had just won American League Player of the Week for 16.2 innings that produced just one earned run, and he has seen his ERA in the last eight outings drop from 3.30 to 2.58. The seven earned runs through two innings are already a season high for Cueto and only the second time this year he’s given up more than three.

Cueto entered Friday with six earned runs allowed total in his last four August starts.

D-backs starter Tommy Henry had another solid start, giving up just one earned run in 5.0 innings on four hits and three walks. Three of the rookie’s five career starts have now resulted in one earned run or less.

Kevin Ginkel came in relief to throw two scoreless innings, followed by one for Reyes Moronta. Tyler Holton gave up a solo homer to A.J. Pollock in the ninth.

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