CINCINNATI — The White Sox scored 11 runs in the second inning Sunday and cruised to a 17-4 victory against the Reds for their second consecutive series win.
Who needs Eloy Jimenez?
The Sox do, of course, but breaking out offensively without Jimenez, who had an appendectomy Saturday, was as uplifting as it gets for a team struggling to save its season already in May.
“We dug ourselves a hole, and we’ve got to claw out of it,” said manager Pedro Grifol, whose team is 12-23 but seven games behind the American League Central-leading Twins.
The Sox had 18 hits, including home runs by Hanser Alberto and Gavin Sheets in the big second inning. Alberto had four hits, including two doubles, and a career-high four RBI and was the first player to homer against right-hander Graham Ashcraft in 33 innings.
The 11 runs are the most for the Sox in one inning in 16 years and third-most ever for the franchise. They sent 14 batters to the plate in the second.
Entering batting .176 with runners in scoring position, the Sox were 8-for-13. Andrew Vaughn had three hits, including a double and triple, and drove in four runs.
“We’ve homered in seven straight and in nine of the last 10,” Grifol said. “Anytime you put up a crooked number, it’s a big deal.”
Michael Kopech allowed four solo homers in six innings.
Moncada close to return
Grifol didn’t rule out Yoan Moncada returning Monday, when the Sox open a four-game series in Kansas City. Playing five innings in the third game of his rehab assignment for Triple-A Charlotte, Moncada went 3-for-3 with a homer, two singles and a walk.
Grifol said it would depend on how Moncada, who hasn’t played for the Sox since April 9 because of a protruding disk in his lower back, felt after the game.
Hendriks allows run in rehab
Liam Hendriks allowed a run and two hits in his second inning at Charlotte. He threw 14 pitches, nine for strikes, as he works his way back after a bout with cancer. On Friday, Hendriks threw nine pitches in a perfect inning.
Eloy feeling better
Grifol said Jimenez “sounded really good” when they spoke Sunday, much improved a day after surgery.
“He was obviously in big-time pain [Saturday],” Grifol said.
The Sox’ expectation of four to six weeks before Jimenez returns most likely falls on the cautious side, and doctors should have a clearer picture in the next few days.
Catcher Carlos Perez was recalled from Charlotte to take Jimenez’s spot on the roster. Perez, who hit eight home runs for Charlotte, grounded out as a pinch hitter for designated hitter Yasmani Grandal, who’s dealing with a minor back issue and could see more DH time in Jimenez’s absence.
Burger progressing
Jake Burger (Grade 1 left oblique strain) said he is running without pain and will take ground balls directly at him Monday.
“If that feels good, maybe start ranging a little bit, and then after that, it’s all swinging,” Burger said. “Throwing feels good, so hopefully [the IL stint] is shorter than I expected.”
