Mark Kotsay brought in the winning runs with a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning as the Chicago White Sox came from behind to earn a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
The game's start was delayed for two hours and 28 minutes because of rain, but Kotsay made the wait worth it as he delivered the tie-breaking hit off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz (1-2) in the opener of the three-game series.
The White Sox took an early 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI groundout from Alex Rios, but the Rangers answered in the bottom half. Vladimir Guerrero had a two-run triple as Texas took a 2-1 lead.
Josh Hamilton extended the advantage with a solo home run in the sixth, his 19th of the season. But the White Sox rallied in the seventh, tying the game on Rios’ RBI single and Paul Konerko’s sacrifice fly to set up the late heroics.
J.J. Putz (5-2) picked up the victory in relief starter Freddy Garcia, who went six innings and allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Texas starter Colby Lewis went six-plus innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Chi. White Sox | Texas | |
Freddy Garcia | Player | Colby Lewis |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
6.0 | IP | 6.0 |
3 | Strikeouts | 3 |
6 | Hits | 8 |
4.50 | ERA | 4.50 |
Chi. White Sox | Texas | |
Juan Pierre | Player | Ian Kinsler |
3 | Hits | 1 |
0 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 1 |
.600 | Avg | .500 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Chi. White Sox | 14 | 0 | 15 | .350 | 21 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Texas | 7 | 1 | 13 | .219 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |