White Sox Overpower Rangers to Take Two of Three

The Sox eventually charged deGrom with eight earned runs over 3.2 innings.

Peters reached safely in all five plate appearances, finishing 3-for-3 with two walks, a double, three RBIs and his fourth homer in five games. Antonacci collected two extra-base hits and scored three times, while Chase Meidroth went 3-for-5.

Chicago built a 10-1 lead and appeared headed toward a comfortable response to Monday’s blowout.

The pitching staff had other ideas.

Anthony Kay required 99 pitches to complete 4.2 innings. Jordan Hicks surrendered three runs, including Justin Foscue’s two-run homer during a three-run sixth that reduced the lead to 10-7.

Peters immediately answered with a solo homer, restoring some breathing room. That response proved important when Hagen Smith walked three batters in the ninth and forced Grant Taylor to enter with the bases loaded.

Taylor needed only two pitches to finish an 11-7 victory, but the fact that a nine-run lead required a save opportunity remained concerning.

Chicago’s destruction of deGrom was a statement. Its inability to finish the game cleanly was a warning.

Peters Makes History as the Lineup Takes Control

Wednesday’s finale followed the same general pattern: an abbreviated start, significant bullpen responsibility and enough offense to overcome both.

Braden Montgomery’s RBI double and Doyle’s run-scoring single gave Chicago an early 2-0 lead. Joc Pederson erased it with a two-run homer, and Sean Burke’s control problems threatened to turn the game.

Burke walked eight batters in three-plus innings and needed 92 pitches. He opened the fourth by putting two runners aboard with nobody out before Sean Newcomb entered a 2-2 game.

That was the afternoon’s most important pitching change.

Newcomb stranded both inherited runners and completed three scoreless innings without issuing a walk. His escape prevented Burke’s control failure from becoming a deficit and gave the offense an opportunity to reclaim the game.

Miguel Vargas and pinch-hitter Antonacci delivered run-scoring singles in the fourth. Peters then broke the game open with a two-run homer in the fifth, tying the franchise record by homering in five consecutive games.

Peters finished 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Antonacci added another RBI single in the sixth before Doyle launched a three-run homer. Doyle finished with four RBIs in the 10-4 victory.

Jonathan Cannon covered the final three innings for his first save, allowing two runs. Newcomb and Cannon combined for six innings, allowing Will Venable to avoid using most of his conventional high-leverage relievers.

The Sox collected 15 hits, with eight players recording at least one and five producing multiple-hit games. Peters supplied the signature moment, but the finale was Chicago’s most complete offensive performance of the series.

Peters’ Streak Was Bigger Than Home Runs

Five consecutive games with a home run is the obvious headline, but Peters’ overall production was more revealing.

He homered in each game against Texas and reached base five times Tuesday. When the Rangers reduced a nine-run deficit to three, he immediately answered with a homer. When Wednesday remained competitive despite Burke’s eight walks, Peters supplied the swing that created separation.

This was not simply a hitter running into a few mistakes. Peters produced in different counts, reached base without homering and delivered when the state of the game required an answer.

The streak will eventually end. The more important question is whether the plate discipline and extra-base production surrounding it can continue.

What the Series Actually Showed

The White Sox scored 23 runs and won two games. That should make this an uncomplicated success.

It was not.

Urquidy, Kay and Burke combined for only 10.2 innings. None completed the fifth. One needed 93 pitches to record nine outs, another needed 99 pitches to record 14 and the third walked eight batters.

The bullpen covered 16 1/3 innings in three days. That workload would have been much more damaging without Newcomb’s three scoreless innings and Cannon’s ability to finish the finale.

Chicago’s offense compensated by scoring 21 runs across the final two games. The production also extended beyond Peters. Doyle drove in six runs during the series, Antonacci repeatedly created traffic and Meidroth contributed a three-hit night.

That supporting production matters because no lineup can rely on one player homering indefinitely.

The Sox won the series because they punished deGrom, answered Texas whenever Tuesday became uncomfortable and prevented Burke’s control failure from deciding Wednesday. They showed the depth and power required to overcome imperfect pitching.

They also reinforced the central concern surrounding the team. The bullpen cannot continue covering more innings than the rotation while remaining effective through September.

Roster and Rotation Notes

The White Sox placed Huascar Brazobán on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left lat strain and recalled Jonathan Cannon. Andrew Benintendi was placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list, with Rikuu Nishida recalled in the corresponding move. On Thursday, Chicago optioned Cannon and Nishida to Triple-A Charlotte while recalling right-hander Tyler Davis. Davis provides a fresh bullpen arm after Cannon threw 66 pitches over the final three innings Wednesday. Nishida’s option creates space for Benintendi, who is eligible to return Friday, although the White Sox have not yet confirmed his activation.

Kyle Teel and Chris Murphy began rehab assignments with Triple-A Charlotte during the series. Neither has a confirmed major-league return date.

Davis Martin began his rehab assignment Thursday as he works back from the blister on his right middle finger. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing one hit while fanning five. His eventual return could help a rotation that badly needs both effectiveness and length.

What’s On Tap Next?

The White Sox open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Target Field.

Luis Castillo is scheduled to start for Chicago against Dean Kremer. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CT.

Castillo enters the game 4-10 with a 5.19 ERA, while Kremer is 2-4 with a 5.22 ERA.