Chicago White Sox vs Texas Rangers Box Score on Sep 18, 2021

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nathaniel Lowe and Andy Ibanez had two hits apiece, and five pitchers combined on a three-hitter to lift the host Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.

The White Sox (84-64) were unable to inch closer to clinching the American League Central title. Chicago's magic number remains at five over the Cleveland Indians, who routed the New York Yankees 11-3.

Texas (55-93) sent Chicago to its third loss in four games behind a nine-hit attack and a resilient pitching staff. The Rangers issued seven walks but still neutralized the White Sox one night after Chicago rolled 8-0.

Drew Anderson improved to 1-1, pitching three innings of one-run, one-hit ball while walking two and striking out one. Joe Barlow struck out two in a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

Easing back into rhythm after missing two weeks with knee inflammation, White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn pitched 5 1/3 innings in his second start since returning from the injured list.

Lynn (10-5) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits while walking two and striking out five. The damage might have been worse if not for a sixth-inning defensive play that saw Chicago catcher Yasmani Grandal gather a strong throw from center fielder Luis Robert to erase Ibanez at the plate following an RBI single by DJ Peters.

Texas channeled its own strong defense to maintain the lead in the seventh, as Adolis Garcia hauled in a drive off the bat of Yoan Moncada just feet from the wall in right center to end the inning with a runner on base.

One inning later, Rangers second baseman Nick Solak leapt to catch a Leury Garcia line drive as the White Sox stranded two more runners. They left nine men on base in the game.

Grandal smacked a solo shot leading off the sixth to account for Chicago's lone run.

Rangers starter Spencer Howard allowed one hit, three walks and three strikeouts in three scoreless innings. The right-hander threw 57 pitches before yielding to a bullpen relay that also included Spencer Patton and Dennis Santana.

--Field Level Media