Rangers Survive Injury Scare In Chicago
CHICAGO (AP) - First Yu Darvish stumbled on the pitcher's mound in the seventh inning then center fielder Leonys Martin was knocked out of the game with a twisted ankle in the ninth.
But fears of serious injury to key Texas Rangers starters were eased in the clubhouse following Saturday night's 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
The Rangers right-hander suffered cramps in both legs and left after seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits.
"He'll be fine," Texas manager Ron Washington said.
Martin grimaced in pain on the U.S. Cellular Field grass after the ninth inning collision with left fielder David Murphy. But he eventually walked off the field and post-game precautionary x-rays were negative.
Rookie Josh Phegley singled home the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the White Sox to the victory against right-handed reliever Tanner Scheppers (5-2)
"I've faced (Scheppers) in college," Phegley said. "I know he's a hard-thrower and I just tried to get my foot down and get the barrel on something. It just happened to be a pretty good swing and a line drive."
Texas had its four-game winning streak snapped and wasted another strong outing by Darvish, who gave up two runs in seven innings while striking out 11.
Avisail Garcia singled with one out and went to third on Dayan Viciedo's hit one out later. Phegley then hit a line shot to left off Tanner Scheppers (5-2) to end the game.
Nate Jones (4-4) pitched an inning for the victory.
Chicago trailed 2-0 before Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to tie it. Alex Rios had hit a two-run shot in the top half of the inning for the lead.
Washington had no complaints about Darvish, who had no decision for the second straight outing.
"He was pretty good through six innings and he got two outs and Dunn just jumped on a first pitch fastball away from him," Washington said. "I don't think any ballpark can hold (Dunn) and this once certainly didn't. Other than that he did what he had to do."
Darivsh, who remains 12-5, had his ninth double-dight strikeout performance of the season and his seventh straight quality start.
"I think the least that I have to do is have a quality start every time I go out there," he said. "But the home run that I gave up to Dunn that's the situation where I'm not supposed to give up home runs. I wish I could take that pitch back.
"Just like last outing my fast ball was not there (but) my slider was."
NOTES: As part of the Civil Rights Game proceedings, Aretha Franklin and Bo Jackson were honored during the pregame ceremonies. Franklin couldn't attend and former Tigers great Willie Horton accepted in her honor. ... Before the game, White Sox manager Robin Ventura was asked how good Jackson might have been without the hip injury. "It's hard to describe him to people now of how strong, fast and smart of a baseball player he was," Ventura said. "He was good regardless. We'll never know, but I haven't seen anyone that's had his abilities since." Rangers RHP Nick Tepesch threw live batting practice on Saturday and reported no issues. ... RHP Matt Garza (9-2), a former Cub, makes his return to Chicago Sunday when he faces John Danks (3-10) in series finale.
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