PHOENIX — Munetaka Murakami tied a Chicago White Sox franchise record on Wednesday with a home run in his fifth consecutive game. But the Sox couldn’t dig out of a huge hole, and lost 11-7 to the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of 20,799 at Chase Field.
Murakami hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning against Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson. He joined A.J. Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle (1983) and Greg Luzinski (1983) as Sox players to homer in five straight games.
“I’m really happy that I (tied) the record,” Murakami said through an interpreter.
Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery also continued home run streaks on Wednesday for the Sox.
But Ildemaro Vargas had two home runs and five RBIs for the Diamondbacks. He hit a three-run home run against Sox starter Anthony Kay during a four-run second inning.
Miguel Vargas, no relation, led off the third with a home run to left-center, bringing the Sox within 4-3. He has homered in three straight games.
Ildemaro Vargas answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third, stretching Arizona’s lead to 6-3.
Montgomery led off the fourth with a home run. He has homered in four consecutive games.
The Diamondbacks scored twice in the bottom of the fourth, including on a balk called on Kay. The left-hander allowed eight runs on eight hits with three walks and one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings.
Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer against Sox reliever Lucas Sims in the sixth inning, giving the Diamondbacks a 10-5 lead.
Murakami brought the Sox within 10-7 with the two-run home run in the seventh, which went 451 feet. He has a team-leading 10 home runs.
But the Diamondbacks added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh and held off the Sox (9-15).
