Beltre's hit rallies Rangers over White Sox
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Third baseman Adrian Beltre's go-ahead base hit in the sixth turned out to be the game-winner in the Texas Rangers' 6-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in an expected pitchers' duel that was anything but to fall short.
Beltre's single to center scored center fielder Ian Desmond from second for Texas, which rallied from deficits three times to take two of three from the owners of the American League's best record.
Right-handed reliever Tony Barnette (2-2) earned the victory, retiring a hitter in the sixth to get out of a bases-loaded jam. Right-hander Sam Dyson recorded his first save for Texas (20-15). Four Texas relievers worked 3 1/3 shutout innings and gave up only two hits.
Dyson, however, did hit one of two batters plunked by Rangers relievers, including Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu to lead off the ninth. Abreu, though, was erased trying to steal on a double play strikeout of Carlos Sanchez.
Lefty Dan Jennings (1-1) suffered the loss for Chicago (23-12) in a game featured two good AL hurlers.
Combined, right-hander Mat Latos and Texas lefty Cole Hamels entered 9-0 on the season.
Latos, who with Chris Sale make up the first pair of White Sox starters to start the season 6-0 since at least 1913, gave up five runs on seven hits and five walks over 5 1/3 innings.
Latos failed to protect a one-run lead in the third, allowing Texas center fielder Ian Desmond a run-scoring single and right fielder Nomar Mazara's sacrifice fly. Texas designated hitter Prince Fielder had a two-run double in the fifth to erase Chicago's 4-2 lead.
Hamels had to labor also, giving up five runs -- only three earned -- on nine hits, including two home runs, both in Chicago's three-run fourth. He struck out nine.
Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth and two-run homer from second baseman Brett Lawrie.
Frazier left the game in bottom of the inning after falling into the stands while giving chase of Fielder's foul pop. Frazier appeared to hit his head on a seat. He covered his mouth with his glove and immediately ran to the dugout. Frazier, who was relieved by Carlos Sanchez, received five stitches to his lower lip. He was listed as day-to-day.
Fielder's shift-beating flare to left scored Desmond, who is hitting .350 in his last 22 games, from third and Mazara all the way from first as White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera had to go from left-center to retrieve the ball that settled outside the foul line.
The White Sox, though, regained the lead with one in the top of the sixth on a second unearned run off Hamels.
Saladino, the No. 9 hitter, came up with the key hit of the inning off Hamels, driving a ball into center to score Cabrera in an inning that featured two hits, an error and a hit batter.
Texas right-hander Tony Barnette relieved Hamels and, after hitting Adam Eaton to load the bases, induced a flyout from Austin Jackson to limit the damage as Texas returned to the dugout for its decisive half inning.
NOTES: An MRI performed on Texas RHP A.J. Griffin showed no structural issues in his sore right shoulder, a team official said. He can begin throwing when he is free of inflammation. ... Texas recalled LHP Andrew Faulkner from Triple-A Round Rock and sent down LHP Anthony Renaudo. ... Texas LHP Derek Holland's next start has been pushed back a day. He will pitch on five days' rest on Monday. LHP Cesar Ramos will make a spot start on Sunday in place of Griffin. ... Texas RHP Tanner Scheppers (left knee surgery) has stretched out his long toss throwing regimen to 105 feet. He is hoping to throw off the mound in early June with the goal of a return after the All-Star break. ... Chicago entered the game an MLB-best 30-16 against the AL West since 2015.