Rangers Rout White Sox in Middle Game

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

August 2, 2023

Rangers 11, White Sox 1

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Aug 2) — The Texas Rangers routed the Chicago White Sox, 11–1, on Wednesday evening. A three-RBI night by Corey Seager helped propel the Rangers to their second victory in a row. It went a long way toward keeping the Houston Astros at bay in the AL West. With this win on Wednesday, the Rangers maintain their half-game lead over their division rival. The Rangers will go for the sweep on Thursday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 pm Central. Right-hander Touki Toussaint (1–3, 3.50 ERA) will toe the rubber for the White Sox. The newly acquired Max Scherzer (9–4, 4.01 ERA) will make his much-anticipated Rangers debut in the finale.

Eager Seager

Fresh off the IL from a thumb injury, Seager left his mark early and often on Wednesday. He hit a two-run home run to give the Rangers an early lead in the bottom of the first. They added on in the bottom of the second. Once again, it was Seager who provided the offense with a single to left that plated Sam Huff, who singled earlier in the frame. On deck was Nathaniel Lowe, who drove in Marcus Semien, also with a single to left. Two batters later, Seager scored on a groundout by Josh Jung. Moments later, Travis Jankowski doubled to left and brought in both Lowe and Adolis Garcia to make it 7–0 Rangers.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jung hit a two-run homer to center to extend the lead to 9–0. Garcia, who singled just prior, was the man on base at the time. The rout continued in the bottom of the sixth. Shortly after a double to right by Leody Taveras, Semien sent a ball to the seats in left to extend the Rangers’ lead over the White Sox to 11–0. There was a moment of suspense, however, as the White Sox challenged the home run to decide if it was fair or foul. The baseball just barely wedged itself inside the pole in left, and the original call stood. The White Sox notched a consolation run in the top of the eighth on a solo homer to left by Seby Zavala.

Grifol Ejected

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White Sox manager Pedro Grifol was ejected by home plate umpire Adam Hamari heading into the bottom of the third. It marked the fourth ejection for Grifol this season. Grifol felt that Hamari was being inconsistent with his strike zone behind the plate, and that was what ultimately led to the early trip back to his office.

Dunning’s Great Night

Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning earned his career-high ninth win of the season. He now owns a 9-4 record after allowing one run on three hits, striking out a career-high 11 batters. Dunning snapped a three-game losing streak in a span of four starts, as he improves to a 7–4 record as a starter this season. He is now 2–0 in three starts against the White Sox in his career, the team that traded him to the Rangers on December 8, 2020.

Sox Ask for a Cease Fire

White Sox starter Dylan Cease took his fifth loss of the year, allowing seven earned runs in an inning and a third. Wednesday marked the shortest outing of his major league career, spanning 113 starts with the White Sox. It is the second time that he’s allowed seven earned runs in 2023. His one strikeout Wednesday also matched a career low. The Rangers’ other four runs were given up by lefty Tanner Banks and righty Edgar Navarro.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy couldn’t help but gush over his team once again. Regarding Dunning’s outing, he said, “He had everything working with a great tempo. His sinker was the best that I had seen in his last few starts, and he just had great stuff and command. It was a joy to watch.” Bochy was also asked about Seager’s night. He said, “Corey is such an amazing player. For him to go out there and drive in three after being on the shelf says a lot. We miss him when he’s not in the lineup. Remember, he missed about six weeks earlier in the year, and he poured it on when he came back then as well. I have faith that this is a glimpse of what is to come for the rest of the year from him.”

In a surprise appearance, Corey Seager himself held court after the game as well. Seager was asked about the decision to put him in the lineup. He said, “It was not a hard decision at all. My thumb was still a little sore, but once I took live batting practice today it really loosened up, and I felt fine.” Seager was also asked if the recent trades lit a fire under him. He replied, “Absolutely. It’s always great when your club gets a boost, and I can’t wait to see what our new guys can do next to the guys that we already have here.”