Walker and Diamondbacks strike early and beat the White Sox 12-5

PHOENIX – Christian Walker hit a home run and a double to score three runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago White Sox 12-5 on Sunday.

Walker hit a solo home run in the first inning, a single in the third, and a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning to score two more runs to give Arizona two of three games in the series. With a chance to cycle, Walker struck out in his final two at-bats, hitting a double play.

Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks left the game in the seventh inning after making an unfortunate throw from center field. The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year has an MRI appointment on Monday but said he felt better after the game.

“I went to throw and just felt a pulling sensation, not super painful, very general,” Carroll said. “But all signs are positive. I hope to be in the Washington series.”

Arizona starter Jordan Montgomery (5-4) benefited from the offensive action. He pitched five innings, allowed four hits, one unearned run – caused by his own error -, managed two walks and struck out seven times.

“Montgomery was on the attack,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Good completion of his throws. I could have sent him back out, but I wanted to give the bullpen some work on the day off (Monday).”

“The boys were extremely committed and focused. Good start and then they carried on.”

Montgomery threw 84 pitches, including effective off-speed pitches, and Arizona led 10-1 when he came out.

“It was a good game,” said Montgomery, who has struggled this season after being signed at the end of spring training and has a 6.00 ERA. “Gabby (Moreno) called a great game. The defense was great and we swung the bats really well.”

Regarding the change, he said: “I just throw it and don’t try to aim it.”

The Diamondbacks rebounded from a 9-2 loss on Saturday night, taking advantage of Chicago’s Drew Thorpe, who was making his second major league appearance. Corbin Carroll walked four pitches, Ketel Marte hit a single to right and Joc Pederson followed with a double to right, scoring both runners. Pederson was out trying to turn it into a triple, but Walker hit Thorpe’s next pitch into the left-center field seats for his 16th home run to make it 3-0.

In the fourth inning, the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with two hits and a walk. Marte hit a sacrifice fly and Pederson reached on catcher interference to reload the bases. Chad Kuhl relieved Thorpe and Walker greeted him with a two-run double. Jake McCarthy hit a sacrifice fly and the final two runs of the inning were scored on wild pitches – Kuhl threw three of them in the inning.

Thorpe (0-1) had five walks and no strikeouts.

“The fastball was all over the place today,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t have my best control today and it’s pretty hard to deal with. Get better for the next game.”

Thorpe made his debut in Seattle on Tuesday. The third-best prospect in Chicago’s farm system pitched five innings against the Mariners, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned), two walks and four strikeouts. Thorpe was acquired from San Diego in March in exchange for RHP Dylan Cease to the Padres.

Tommy Pham and Andrew Vaughn each had three hits for the White Sox, who defeated the Diamondbacks 11-9.

Chicago, which has the worst record in the major leagues at 19-54, fell flat in its attempt to win just its second road series of the season. The White Sox have the worst record in MLB at 7-31 in road games on the South Side. They won two of three games against the Cardinals from May 3-5 in St. Louis.

Second base umpire Marvin Hudson left the game in the sixth inning after Walker’s foul ball hit him right in the mask. Catcher Martín Maldonado grabbed Hudson and kept him from falling, and the umpire was quickly escorted off the field. Second base umpire John Tumpane replaced Hudson behind the plate.

The game was played in front of 37,694 spectators on Father’s Day.

SOX MOVEMENTS

Chicago acquired C Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Charlotte, giving it three catchers in Maldonado and Korey Lee, who served as DH on Sunday. OF Duke Ellis was designated for assignment.

NEXT

White Sox: Monday off. RHP Jonathan Cannon (0-1, 4.56 ERA) is scheduled to play Tuesday night in Chicago against Houston.

Diamondbacks: Monday off. RHP Slade Cecconi (1-5, 6.70) starts the first game of a three-game series in Washington. RHP Jake Irvin (5-5, 3.00) plays for the Nationals.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports