The Texas Rangers scored eleven runs while the Chicago White Sox scored two runs.
After a week trapped in the runless dungeon they call home, the Rangers got some fresh Midwest air and found it to their liking.
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During their most recent homestand, the Rangers scored more than two runs in a game just twice. Tonight, after a making Chicago starter Jose Urquidy work for nearly 40 pitches in the first inning, the Rangers scored a couple of runs in the first inning alone to ignite a breakout performance from the bats.
For a moment it seemed like scratching and clawing a few runs across in the top of the first was doomed to be immediately erased when Andrew Benintendi smashed a two-out deep fly with a runner on against Texas starter Kumar Rocker. However, Brandon Nimmo played ERA and lead savior by making one of the best catches of the season, taking away a game-tying home run from Benintendi.
The Rangers added another run on Urquidy in the top of the second on an infield single by Ezequiel Duran with the bases loaded. After the Rangers left ’em loaded and in the bottom of the second, Tristan Peters hit one to the bleachers in right field where Nimmo couldn’t reach it for a two-run homer.
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At that point, with Texas up 3-2 and Rocker trying to settle in with an erratic zone from home plate umpire Chris Guccione, it felt like perhaps the Rangers had left too much meat on the bone in the first couple of innings against a shaky Urquidy.
However, after a couple of guys at the bottom of the lineup reached in the top of the third, and after Justin Foscue — in the game because leadoff hitting DH Joc Pederson was ejected for chirping at the inept Guccione — popped up as the inning’s second out, Corey Seager doubled in a couple in what was both a pivotal at-bat and the rare extra base with runners on that has often eluded the Rangers this season.
Once again Rocker had a three run lead and unlike Urquidy, who lasted only three frames, the Texas right hander did figure things out. Ultimately Rocker went 5 2/3 allowing just the two runs (with the assist from Nimmo) on five hits and three walks. Rocker also struck out eight, one below his season best.
Missing a quality start by one out, Rocker still turned around what could have been an ugly outing. A bullpen duo of Robby Ahlstrom and Jordan Montgomery followed Rocker and kept the White Sox off the board the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the lineup produced an additional six runs with two in the top of the fifth and a run apiece in the top of the sixth and eighth, and the capper coming via a two-run dong via Wyatt Langford in the ninth.
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The outburst allowed the Rangers to return to .500 ball and moved them back into sole possession of first place in the American League West with the Houston Astros having the day off.
Player of the Game: The Rangers have been aching for a return to form from Seager and after a week or so of several multi-hit games, tonight Seager contributed a team-best three hits — including two doubles — and three RBIs.
Except for Elias Diaz, everyone in the lineup reached base at least once, including Pederson, as the Rangers poured it on for 14 hits with Seager leading the way.
Up Next: The Rangers and White Sox are back at it tomorrow with RHP Jacob deGrom set to take the bump for Texas against LHP Anthony Kay for Chicago.
The Tuesday evening first pitch from Rate Field is again scheduled for 6:40 pm CDT and will be carried on the Rangers Sports Network.
