Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the White Sox’s 10-8 win over the Mariners

Yusei Kikuchi overcame a sluggish start to put himself in line for his first major league victory, but the Mariners bullpen couldn’t hold the lead in a 10-8 loss to the host Chicago White Sox on Friday afternoon.

Trailing 8-6, the White Sox batted around in the seventh inning despite getting only one hit – a two-run single by Yoan Moncada that gave them the lead.

Mariners reliever Cory Gearrin walked the first two batters in the inning. Jose Abreu then hit what appeared to be a double-play grounder, but the Mariners were unable to get an out, leaving the bases loaded with no outs.

Gearrin hit Wellington Castillo with a pitch, pulling the White Sox to within a run.

Moncada then greeted left-hander Zac Rosscup by lining a 3-2 pitch to center field to give the White Sox a 9-8 lead.

Of note

The Mariners hit four home runs – two-run shots by Mitch Haniger and Ryon Healy and solo homers by Domingo Santana and Daniel Vogelbach as they rallied from an early 6-1 deficit. … M’s shortstop Tim Beckham made three errors – all in the first inning. Two were fielding errors and one was a throwing error.

By the numbers

9: Consecutive games to start the season in which the Mariners have hit a home run, breaking the franchise mark of eight set in 1998.

Our take from right field

Kikuchi, who got an extra day of rest when the White Sox’s home opener was pushed back a day because of inclement weather, allowed three runs in each of the first two innings, although he wasn’t helped by the defense. He closed with three scoreless innings, allowing the M’s to get back in the game. A team that scores eight runs should win, but the bullpen and defense continue to be glaring problems for the M’s.

Up next

The Mariners and White Sox continue their three-game series at 11:10 a.m. Saturday. RHP Mike Leake (1-0, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to face White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (1-0, 2.70).