The Chicago White Sox finished up their four-game series with the Texas Rangers this Sunday afternoon by soundly beating the Texas Rangers 8-2.
It was a series that they should have won at least three of the four games in but they struggled in the first three games of the series and could only split it instead of win or sweep it.
The Sox hitters came alive in a big way this Sunday and the hits were plentiful. This is what we have expected from the White Sox all season. They made this win look like a piece of cake.
The first score of the game came when Josh Harrison came around to score after a single by A.J. Pollock. This came in the top of the second inning.
Andrew Vaughn would put the Sox up 3 – 0 after he blasted a two-run homer in the top of the third inning. Not only did he score but he helped bring Jose Abreu across the plate.
The Rangers would add one on in the bottom of the third after Nathaniel Lowe helped Marcus Semien cross the pate on a single. That brought the Rangers to within two. Luis Robert hit a double that came up just short of being a home run that allowed Leury Garcia and Pollock to score.
The Chicago White Sox were able to pull away from the Texas Rangers to earn a split.
That helped to pad the White Sox lead giving by making the score 5-1 in the fourth inning. That hit helped evoke a pitching change for the Rangers.
The first pitch from the new pitcher was whacked by Eloy Jimenez for a double that scored Robert. The White Sox were up 6-1. In the top of the sixth inning, Rangers pitcher Garrett Richards walked Yoan Moncada which allowed Jimenez to score. The White Sox led 7-1 at that point.
Following a wild throw by Ranger’s third baseman Ezequiel Duran, Garcia came around to score a run and help make it 8-1.
Reliever Jake Diekman took over for Lambert in the bottom of the seventh inning. He gave up a home run to Lowe which cut the White Sox lead to 6 making the score 8-2.
Matt Foster took over in the bottom of the eighth inning and he retired the side. Jose Ruiz came in to close it out. He managed to end the game successfully and the White Sox won it 8-2.
Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito lasted five innings and had his ups and downs. He ended the day with six hits allowing just one run.
He didn’t allow any home runs and walked three while striking out five. He was lucky enough to get out of some tough situations after almost giving up several runs early on. Jimmy Lambert took over for Giolito in the bottom of the sixth.
This series with the Rangers was crucial for the White Sox in that they could have almost caught up to the Minnesota Twins and taken over the lead in the AL Central.
The Twins did provide some help though so the White Sox are still not that far behind. But this was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Rangers who were not all that great. They are also a game behind the Cleveland Guardians for second place.
It was an odd series where the Sox made lackluster pitchers look like All-Stars. They just couldn’t get much going in their two losses and most everyone was to blame on the offensive side. It was, for the most part, very tough to watch this series.
The White Sox will have Monday off before traveling to Kansas City to take on the Royals for a four-game series. They will have a double header right away on Tuesday.