The Astros sent 14 hitters to the plate in their 10-run sixth inning to rout the White Sox in the series opener.

A 10-run sixth inning catapulted the Houston Astros to a 13-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Astros had five homers in the game and three alone in the sixth inning. Michael Brantley’s grand slam highlighted Houston’s barrage.

White Sox starter Lucas Giolito was abysmal in his outing. He ended the night after five-plus innings, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) and three walks while fanning three. Giolito did not appear to have feel for his pitches. The right-hander mentioned postgame that he’s working on mechanical adjustments.

Houston opened the scoring on Giolito in the first inning when Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer. A solo shot by Gurriel made it 3-0 in the second.

The White Sox only fireworks – and fun – came via AJ Pollock’s three-run homer that tied the game at three in the third inning. He drove in Seby Zavala and Danny Mendick, who doubled and singled to start the inning, respectively. However, the game came unglued when the Astros broke it open in the sixth.

Bregman drew a leadoff walk and scored on Yordan Alvarez’s single when right fielder (actually a first baseman) Andrew Vaughn overthrew third base. The Astros pushed the lead to 5-3 on an RBI double by Tucker in the following at-bat. Giolito hit Yuli Gurriel and allowed a single to Aledmys Diaz before being reliver by Matt Foster.

Foster was immediately greeted by an RBI single from Chas McCormick, which loaded the bases. There were two outs when Brantley hit the grand slam to make it 10-3. Bregman then walked for the second time in the inning before Alvarez homered to right field.

Tanner Banks – the third pitcher of the inning – relieved Foster and Kyler Tucker homered to cap off the gaudy inning. Gurriel singled before Banks retired Diaz to finally end it. The Astros sent 14 batters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.

Houston starter Framber Valdez yielded eight hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in six innings. Astros relievers Ryne Stanek, Seth Martinez, and Bryan Abreu combined to pitch three perfect innings.

Yoan Moncada left the game early with a hamstring injury.

The Astros’ sixth became the first 10-run inning in MLB this season. It’s the first 10-run frame allowed by White Sox since 9/15/2015 vs. the A’s, per NBC Sports stat guru Christopher Kamka.

Lucas Giolito’s ERA rose to 4.78 on the year.

Michael Kopech felt good after throwing a bullpen session Thursday and will start Sunday.

Tony La Russa said the White Sox expect Tim Anderson to return from the injured list on Monday.

The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros will clash again on Saturday. Houston will send Justin Verlander to the mound to face Johnny Cueto. First pitch is at 3:10 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.

Tune in to the Sox On Tap podcast for additional postgame reaction and further White Sox commentary all season.

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