White Sox Top Athletics 9-2 on Murakami Grand Slam

West Sacramento, Calif. Munetaka Murakami smashed his first career grand slam to cap a seven-run seventh inning, powering the Chicago White Sox to a 9-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

The win provided a much-needed lift for the White Sox, who entered the game with the second-fewest runs scored in the majors at 60 and had dropped eight of their previous 10 contests. Playing the opener of a three-game series at Sutter Health Park, Chicago erupted for 15 hits against Oakland's pitching staff, matching their highest scoring output of the season.

Murakami, who finished 3-for-5 with two singles and his sixth home run of the year, delivered the decisive blow in the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, Athletics reliever Elvin Alvarado issued walks to Chase Meidroth and Luisangel Acuña before allowing an infield single to Andrew Benintendi. Murakami then crushed a full-count fastball 431 feet to center field, clearing the batter's eye and extending Chicago's lead to 9-1.

Starting pitcher Davis Martin anchored the effort on the mound, working seven strong innings and allowing just three hits and one earned run. He struck out four, walked two and retired the...