Randal Grichuk homers twice but White Sox drop series opener in Philly 8-6

PHILADELPHIA — Three homers from the White Sox’ veteran platoon outfielders weren’t enough Friday night as they fell 8-6 in a series-opening slug fest against the Phillies, with Randal Grichuk swatting two solo blasts and Derek Hill adding another on a tough night for starter Anthony Kay.

Left fielder Sam Antonacci got the Sox on the board the way the grinding rookie regularly has since joining the team: getting plunked and then sliding home on shortstop Luisangel Acuna’s double off the left-field wall at Citizens Bank Park. Tristan Peters added an RBI single off Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo.

Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh got to Kay in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer, and plated two more when Alec Bohm’s soaring liner bounded just wide of Antonacci’s valiant diving effort. Later in the game, Antonacci — a natural second baseman learning outfield on the job — made an impressive jumping catch at the wall to rob Bryson Stott of extra bases.

Kay got the hook after walking Bryce Harper to open the bottom of the fifth inning. He was tagged for six runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts, raising his ERA to 4.40 and ending a run of five solid outings.

Grichuk’s homers came in the third and fifth innings, and Hill tagged Luzardo again in the sixth. Colson Montgomery tied it up for the Sox with a broken-bat single in the seventh to score Chase Meidroth, who had singled and advanced on an error and a deep flyout from Andrew Benintendi.

The Phillies loaded the bases in the seventh against reliever Bryan Hudson, who induced a lineout and a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Edmundo Sosa caught by Antonacci, who nearly got Kyle Schwarber sliding home.

Seranthony Dominguez almost got out of the threat without more damage, but Trea Turner scored on his wild pitch.

Homecoming for Seranthony

The weekend series marks a homecoming for Dominguez, who played his first six big-league seasons with the Phillies, including their ill-fated run to the 2022 World Series against the Astros.

“A lot of good moments and memories are running through my mind,” said Dominguez, who caught up before the game with former teammates Cristopher Sanchez and Jose Alvarado. “It’s another day and another blessing to be in this building.”

The Sox’ big-money reliever said he feels some similarities between the clubhouses he was in that made deep postseason runs in Philadelphia and Toronto before landing with Chicago on a two-year, $20 million deal.

“The focus is always on today, and what can we do to have the win today,” he said.

Coming and going

Outfielder Everson Pereira started a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Charlotte on his way back from the pectoral strain that has sidelined him since April 29.

Pereira had impressed between his two stints on the injured list this season, the other for a sprained ankle. He batted .250/.310/.453 with three homers, four doubles and a penchant for showing some emotion on the field during his first 18 games with the Sox.

Injured left fielder Austin Hays was back with the team in Philadelphia after his rehab stint was shut down when a calf injury barked back up on him. Manager Will Venable said it would be beneficial for Hays “to be around the guys a little bit, get treatment here, and just hit the reset button a little bit.”

“Hopefully, just with a couple days of rest and some treatment, he’ll be back on the right track,” Venable said.

Reliever Tyler Gilbert rejoined the active roster after several days on the family medical emergency list, relegating lefty Chris Murphy back to Triple-A Charlotte.