Adrian Beltre's Tiebreaking Single Lifts Rangers Past White Sox, 6-5
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adrian Beltre had the tiebreaking RBI single soon after his long errorless streak ended, and Texas beat the Chicago White Sox, 6-5, on Wednesday, giving the Rangers their second win in less than 24 hours against the team with the American League's best record.
In an eventful game for third basemen, Beltre had a throwing error in top of the sixth to end his streak of 44 games without an error. That led to an unearned run for a 5-4 White Sox lead, but the Rangers got even in the bottom of the inning before Beltre had the go-ahead hit.
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier got his 10th RBI in the three-game series with his homer leading off the fourth. But he left the game in the bottom of that inning when he cut his lower lip and needed five stitches after falling hard face-first into the first row of seats while going after a foul popup.
Tony Barnette (2-2) got the final out in the sixth after taking over for starter Cole Hamels before Tom Wilhelmsen, Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson each worked an inning. Dyson hit the first batter to start the ninth, but benefited from a strikeout-caught stealing double play for his first save.
Dan Jennings (1-1) allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings for the White Sox (23-12), who had won four in a row before blowing three leads in each of their last two games at Texas.
After Frazier's third homer in the series, and 11th of the season, tied the game, Melky Cabrera followed with a single and Lawrie homered into the White Sox bullpen in left field for a 4-2 lead. Bullpen catcher Adam Ricks caught Lawrie's deep fly, reaching up with his glove while still sitting on a bench to make the grab.
Frazier was going after Prince Fielder's popup when he reached out while getting close to the short brick wall separating the field from the first row of seats. The ball appeared to hit Frazier's glove before popping out as he fell. None of the fans appeared to be injured, but Frazier got up and covered his face with his glove before going straight into the White Sox dugout nearby.
Texas, which rallied late Tuesday night for a 13-11 win, had tied the series finale at 4 in the fifth when Fielder looped a two-run double down the left field line with the White Sox defense shifted the other way.
Hamels struck out nine with no walks in 5 2/3 innings but also gave up nine hits, the most the ace left-hander has allowed in his 19 starts for the Rangers since they acquired him in a trade last summer. Texas trailed 5-4 when he left the game, but he ended up with a no decision and his career-best 11-game winning streak stayed intact though not extended.
Mat Latos allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. With a win, he would have given the White Sox their first pair of starters to open a season 6-0 since at least 1913. Chris Sale is 7-0.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: After Frazier got stitched up, the White Sox said he is day to day.
Rangers: An MRI on A.J. Griffin's shoulder showed no issues. The right-hander will be able to resume throwing as soon as the inflammation subsides. Before joining the Rangers this season, Griffin (3-0, 2.94 ERA) hadn't pitched in the majors since 2013 because of right elbow surgery and a right shoulder strain. He went on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after coming out of his last start with shoulder stiffness.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Chicago has a day off Thursday before a three-game series at the New York Yankees starting Friday night.
Rangers: After the first of four consecutive Thursdays off, the Rangers open a three-game series at home Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.