ARLINGTON, TX – The Chicago White Sox (22-10) and the Texas Rangers (18-14) opened a three game series in Arlington on Monday night.
The White Sox came into this evenings contest winners of three in a row, and four of their last six. The White Sox got some early run support for their starter Miguel Gonzalez in the form of a lead-off triple by right-fielder Adam Eaton, who scored on the next play when shortstop Jimmy Rollins grounded out.
Todd Frazier also offered some run support in the form of a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning giving, and added another RBI single in the eighth inning.
The Rangers would tie the ballgame with two runs in the eighth on the strength of an RBI single by Adrian Beltre, as well as an RBI double by Ian Desmond.
After the Rangers tied the game, Austin Jackson put the Sox back in the driver seat with an RBI bunt single in the top of the ninth inning.
The Rangers would tie the ballgame in the bottom of the ninth inning again, this time via a lead-off walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a base hit by Hanser Alberto.
In the top of inning number twelve the White Sox loaded the bases, setting the stage for Todd Frazier who would belt a grand slam to left field, giving the White Sox the 8-4 lead on his second home run and sixth RBI of the night.
The victory moved the White Sox to 23-10 on the year, and pushed their American League Central lead to 6.0 games.
Scoring Summary
1st Inning (Top): With White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton on third base, shortstop Jimmy Rollins drove him in on an RBI ground out to the pitcher Colby Lewis.
6th Inning (Top): In the top of the sixth inning Todd Frazier smacked his ninth home run of the season to left field, giving the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
6th Inning (Bottom): Rougned Odor matched Frazier with a solo home run of his own in the home half of the sixth inning, cutting the White Sox lead to just one run.
8th Inning (Top): Todd Frazier delivered another RBI in the top of the eighth, this time in the form of a single, plating Austin Jackson and stretching the White Sox lead to 3-1.
8th Inning (Bottom): Adrian Beltre scored Rougned Odor on a line drive base hit into right field off of White Sox reliever Nate Jones, trimming the lead to one. The Rangers would tie the game in the eighth on an RBI double by Ian Desmond off of Sox closer David Robertson.
9th Inning (Top): In the top of the ninth inning with runners at the corners, Austin Jackson laid down a bunt that allowed Avisail Garcia to score the go ahead run, the White Sox led 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.
9th Inning (Bottom): Hanser Alberto singled to left-field, driving in Elvis Andrus to tie the game at four each.
12th Inning (Top): With the bases loaded, and nobody out Todd Frazier belted a go-ahead grand slam over the left field fence to give the White Sox an 8-4 lead.
Escape Act
Adam Eaton drew a lead-off walk, advanced first to third on a throwing error by Elvis Andrus on a Jimmy Rollins single, and then Jose Abreu was intentionally walked to set the stage for the ToddFather. Frazier cracked a grand-slam over the left-field fence to give the White Sox the 8-4 lead.
Defensive Gem
In the bottom of the tenth inning with the speedy Ryan Rua on third base, and the speedy Ian Desmond on first base the Rangers Mitch Moreland stepped to the plate with an opportunity to end the game with just a fly ball beyond the infield. Brett Lawrie snagged a scorcher off of the bat of Moreland while playing in on the grass, turned to second base and fired to Rollins to induce the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Game Ball
Two home runs including the game winning grand slam in extra innings, two base hits, and a career high six runs batted in on the evening earns Todd Frazier the game ball tonight in Arlington, as the White Sox won their fourth in a row.
On Deck:
Tuesday 7:05 PM (CT) White Sox (23-10) VS. Rangers (18-15)
Probables: Carlos Rodon (1-4, 4.36 ERA) VS. Derek Holland (3-2, 5.40 ERA)
Broadcast Info: TV: CSN / Radio: WLS 890AM