Konerko keeps slugging in loss to D-backs

PHOENIX -- It was a rough afternoon for the starters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, as Brandon McCarthy and John Danks were each hit hard in the D-backs' 11-9 victory over the White Sox on Saturday.

Chicago's Josh Bell went deep off McCarthy in the second inning, and Arizona's A.J. Pollock repaid the favor off Danks in the third. The D-backs pulled away for good with a six-run rally in the bottom of the fourth.

Each starting pitcher allowed four runs, McCarthy's coming on seven hits in three innings and Danks' coming on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings -- though only three of his runs were earned. Danks was making his second start of the spring after left shoulder surgery sidelined him for most of the 2012 season.

The D-backs got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in the first inning -- all with two outs. Center fielder Adam Eaton got the rally going by leading off the frame with the first of his four singles.

The White Sox answered right back with three consecutive hits to start the second. Alexei Ramirez's two-run double plated Paul Konerko and Dayan Viciedo -- each of whom had singled. Two batters later, Bell's two-run homer down the line in right field gave the White Sox their only lead of the game.

Konerko's single was his seventh hit in as many at-bats, but that streak was snapped when Eaton made a diving catch on a line drive to center in the top of the third.

Pollock crushed a homer to left on the first pitch in the bottom of the frame, and he finished with two hits. D-backs second baseman Aaron Hill had three in his four at-bats, with a run and an RBI. Konerko added a three-run shot in the fifth for his fourth homer of the spring.

Up next: The White Sox lone scheduled split-squad action on the 2013 Cactus League ledger takes place Sunday, with part of the squad playing host to the Reds at Camelback Ranch at 3:05 p.m. CT and the other part taking on the Mariners in Peoria at the same time (listen to both games on Gameday Audio). Gavin Floyd takes the mound at home against the Reds, along with Nate Jones and Donnie Veal, while Scott Snodgress, Dylan Axelrod, Brian Omogrosso and Zack Stewart are scheduled in Peoria. Axelrod, Omogrosso and Stewart haven't allowed an earned run this spring over 15 2/3 combined innings.