White Sox drop opener 3-2 to Rangers

Online Staff Report

The Chicago White Sox dropped their season-opener to the Texas Rangers 3-2 Friday, April 6. The game marked the debut of new Sox skipper Robin Ventura.

The Sox fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first after Ian Kinsler doubled on a ground ball to left field, was moved over to third by a sacrifice bunt from Elvis Andrus, and then scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Josh Hamilton.

The Rangers would then make it 2-0 in the bottom of the third off a home run by Kinsler.

The Sox tied it up 2-2 in the top of the sixth. Adam Dunn started the inning with a home run to right field. Then, after getting hit by a pitch and taking first base, Alex Rios scored on a single by Alexei Ramirez.

However, the defending American League champion Rangers would respond in the bottom of the sixth. Hamilton led off the bottom half of the inning with a single to left and was later driven in off a single to left by Michael Young, giving the Rangers the 3-2 advantage.

Sox starter John Danks was credited with the loss. He pitched six innings, gave up three hits, three earned runs, one home run and struck out six.

Rangers starter Colby Lewis picked up the win after pitching six innings, giving up seven hits, two earned runs, one walk and one home run, and striking out nine.

The Sox bullpen of Addison Reed and Matt Thornton gave up zero hits and zero walks in two innings of work.

The Sox next play at 7:05 p.m., Saturday, April 7, at the Rangers. Scheduled starters are Jake Peavy for the White Sox and Derek Holland for the Rangers.

Posted April 6, 2012