Rangers Sneak Past White Sox in Series Opener

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

June 13, 2025

Rangers 3, White Sox 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (June 13) — The Texas Rangers rode a nice performance by Josh Smith as they beat the Chicago White Sox, 3–1, Friday. Smith accounted for every bit of offense as he scored all three of their runs, one on a solo homer. With a quick turnaround, the Rangers will go for the series win Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. The White Sox had yet to announce their starting pitcher at press time, but right-hander Jacob deGrom (6–2, 2.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Rangers.

Big Night for Smith

The Rangers snuck into the run column in the bottom of the first against White Sox righty Adrian Houser. Smith led things off with an infield single that eluded Vinny Capra at short.

Smith raced his way to third on a single to center by Wyatt Langford. On deck was Corey Seager, who scored Smith with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Rangers extended their lead to 2–0 in the bottom of the third. It came on a leadoff solo homer to right-center by Smith, his seventh of the season.

They extended the lead to 3–0 in the bottom of the fifth. Smith led off the inning with a free pass from Houser. After Langford flied to right, Seager moved Smith to second by drawing a walk of his own.

On deck was Marcus Semien, who doubled to left, allowing Smith to score his third run of the evening.

The White Sox got on the board in the top of the seventh off Rangers reliever Hoby Milner. With one out in the frame, Miguel Vargas reached on a single up the middle. Edgar Quero entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Kyle Teel.

Vargas sprinted to second on a single to left by Quero. Up next was Luis Robert Jr. He plated Vargas with a sharp double to left, much to the chagrin of the crowd of 31,934.

What Went Right for the Rangers

It was the Josh Smith show for the Rangers on Friday. He did everything right in this game. Not only did he add a homer to his season total, but he got on base twice more, scoring both times.

On defense, this was a bullpen game for the Rangers, their second in a week. They did a great job as they held the White Sox to one run.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

Things got a little too close for comfort for the Rangers in the ninth. Reliever Robert Garcia came in to shut the door on the White Sox, but he surrendered a hit and walked two. He was, however, able to tightrope his way to safety. He got Quero and Robert Jr. to fly out to center and right, respectively, before striking out Michael A. Taylor to end the contest.

Multiple Calls to the Bullpen

Rangers righty Shawn Armstrong posted three perfect innings in his first start of the season and the 17th of his career. He tied career highs in innings and strikeouts with five. Over his 17 career starts, Armstrong has a career 1.04 ERA, which is the lowest starter ERA during the Live Ball Era.

He became the second starting pitcher in franchise history to exit a start of at least three frames with a perfect game intact. He joins Alexi Ogando in that category. Ogando exited a start after three flawless innings on June 10, 2012 against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-hander Jacob Webb earned the win on Friday, improving to 4–3 with an ERA of 4.26. He took over for Armstrong in the fourth, tossing two frames while allowing one hit and striking out one.

For his effort in the ninth, Garcia notched his fifth save of the season.

Houser’s Evening

White Sox starter Adrian Houser took the loss, surrendering three runs across five innings. He now owns a record of 2–2 with an ERA of 2.15. His final line was 6 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 92 pitches/51 strikes. He had logged six or more innings in each of his first four outings in 2025. Houser allowed a first-inning run for the first time in his five starts this year, giving up consecutive singles to Smith and Langford before the sacrifice fly by Seager.

He has now yielded a home run in consecutive starts. The White Sox have lost three of his last four starts since Houser earned the win in his White Sox debut with six scoreless stanzas on May 20 against the Seattle Mariners.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy discussed the decision to take Armstrong out after the third inning. “I hated taking him out because he was throwing so well,” Bochy said. “He was comfortable starting that game. He was locked in, he was focused, and he was exactly what we wanted.”

Armstrong’s Postgame Comments

As a reliever, Armstrong is not accustomed to speaking in the interview room after the game. He was visibly nervous, but he did a great job reflecting on his start. “I’m very routine oriented,” Armstrong said of starting the bullpen game. “I try not to change much and stick to the same routine as it is. It’s the same game. For us right now, every inning matters, whatever the circumstances. I’ve said since I’ve been here, and I think every reliever in here, we don’t care when we throw, we just want to win. Just an outstanding job by the bullpen today. It was a lot of fun.”