MIAMI — White Sox center fielder Luisangel Acuna is learning his position on the job, and the growing pains showed in an ugly defensive inning that cost his team mightily en route to a 9-2 loss to the Marlins.
The Sox peppered Miami starter Janson Junk for four singles in the third, with RBIs from Munetaka Murakami — who has started his career on a five-game hitting streak — and Andrew Benintendi.
Erick Fedde’s return to the Sox rotation was near-flawless until the fourth inning, when Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards singled and Agustín Ramírez sent a rocket to the right field gap for a double that almost resulted in a full-speed collision between Acuna and Tristan Peters.
A diving Murakami couldn’t stop a scorching Liam Hicks liner down the first base line for a two-run double.
Then former Cub Owen Caissie knocked in another, advanced on a throwing error by Acuna and came home on a single from Heriberto Hernandez. Acuna, the Sox’ main trade return and replacement for Luis Robert Jr., made another ill-advised throw on that play.
The Marlins tagged reliever Bryan Hudson for two more in the seventh, one on a fielding error charged to catcher Edgar Quero on a sacrifice bunt, and they piled the rest on Rule 5 rookie Jedixson Paez.
In his first start with the Sox since coming back to the Sox on a one-year deal, Fedde lasted five innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs with a walk and four strikeouts.
Ben there
Benintendi thought he’d be playing in a winning clubhouse a lot sooner when he signed the biggest contract in Sox history in 2023.
The Sox thought they’d be getting more from the former All-Star and Gold Glover, whose limited range after two years of Achilles issues was exposed during a tough opening series at Milwaukee.
Barring a trade — unlikely given the $30 million-plus remaining he’s still owed — Benintendi’s still got this season and next to wait for any potential good times to roll in.
“I think there are definitely pieces here for sure that will help the team in the future. Then obviously some other guys in the minors right now, too,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s not going to happen overnight. Hopefully within the next few years.”
Pereira rarin’ to go
Right fielder Everson Pereira sat Tuesday, a night after taking a tumble while trying to track down a fly ball against the wall at loanDepot Park that went for a triple.
“He’s a little sore, and that’s probably exaggerating almost, a little bit,” manager Will Venable said. “He fought me on it last night, but just thought it would be the best.”
Acquired in the offseason from Tampa Bay, Pereira has four hits in his first four games with the Sox.
“Just trying to slow the game down and breathe,” the 24-year-old said.
Down on the farm
After impressive season debuts from top pitching prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz at Triple-A Charlotte, two more arms expected in Chicago sometime this year have turned in solid outings, too.
The 6-5 power righty Tanner McDougal struck out eight over four innings of work Saturday, giving up a run on two hits with four walks. And Duncan Davitt, acquired in last year’s Adrian Houser trade with the Rays, followed the next day with seven strikeouts and three walks over four innings, surrendering two runs.
The versatile Vargas has done it all for manager Will Venable, who says the infielder is taking on a more vocal role for a young squad.
A six-RBI night for Vargas helped the Sox rebound from an opening weekend that couldn’t have gone worse.
Sox hitters challenged only two pitches in the first series of the season, but catcher Edgar Quero has shown a quicker trigger.
Murakami became just the fourth player in MLB history to hit a home run in each of his first three career games, but Sox relievers gave up six runs in the eighth to get swept by the Brewers.
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