A game that started out as a hit fest, took a rain break, and picked up where it left off ended in a 13-11 Texas win as the White Sox and Rangers combined for 30 hits. Rain delay or not, when a game ends close to midnight, it’s not a shock that 11 runs isn’t enough for a win.
1. It was singles night at Globe Life Park as play got underway. The top and bottom halves of the opening frame started with three straight singles each. The light hitting contest netted the Sox just one run while the Rangers were able to mix in a walk with an additional single to grab themselves an early 2-1 lead. A foreshadow, I suppose, for what was a battle of escalation. 12 singles were recorded between the two teams before Melky Cabrera opened up the park for extra base hit business in the third. Once that achievement was unlocked, the Sox would add two more doubles and a triple from Jimmy Rollins. But the Texas onslaught was stronger, tacking three home runs on to their two doubles and a triple – the Rangers would manage 17 hits in all, the most allowed by Sox pitching all season.
2. The rain delay following the second inning certainly played a role in the offensively skewed evening. Both starting pitchers returned to the mound following a one hour and 18 minute rain delay. Carlos Rodon’s layoff was a solid twenty minutes longer while the Sox teed off on a combination of a less-than-sharp Derek Holland and Anthony Ranaudo. Rodon’s break also seemed to help his command, looking much better in each inning than he had the previous, even ticking up his velocity as the game wore on. Robin Ventura’s commitment to leaving his young left-hander in the game seemed ill-advised, but also acceptable given the White Sox constant extensions of their lead. Alas, the six runs allowed over his 6 and two-third innings were not enough of a base for the bullpen to stand steadily upon.
3. Scott Carroll, who had been warming intermittently during Rodon’s later innings, ultimately replaced him in the seventh. He recorded the frame’s final out, but the eighth inning proved far more hazardous. A single, a double, and a walk were all he had time for – Ventura removed him, and brought on Zach Duke — who gave up a single before managing to get Rougned Odor to strike out swinging on a curveball. With the bases still loaded, Matt Albers faced the heart of the Rangers order with disastrous results. Adrian Beltre plated one with a sacrifice fly, Ian Desmond sailed a triple over the head of Austin Jackson for a pair more, and Ryan Rua punctuated it all with three-run homer. A seven run inning to erase a five run lead.
4. The White Sox used a walk fueled rally in the fourth to pad their on-base stats. Five walks in that inning enabled them to reach seven on the night, making this the fourth game they’ve notched that many in a single contest. They had four such games in all of 2015.
5. A day after an extra-inning affair forced Ventura’s hand a bit in letting Rodon stay out as long as he did, even having had so much time to cool off during the rain delay. Rodon rebounded nicely, considering, but the bullpen had to be dipped into more than he would have liked anyway. With Mat Latos due up next in the rotation, if things aren’t close, you can expect to see a starting pitcher lingering on the mound far longer than would generally be desired once again.
Team Record: 23-11
Next game is Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. CT vs. the Texas Rangers on CSN.
Lead Photo Credit: Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports Images
Going to give Rodon a couple starts with Avilla catching before I get concerned. Has to find better command with his fastball or else a trip to the minors might isn’t out of the question.