Sale tagged again by Rosales, Sox fall to Texas
There aren't many hitters who can claim to have Chris Sale's number.
But Texas' Adam Rosales, an unlikely candidate with a .222 career batting average entering Wednesday, is one of them.
Rosales tagged Sale for one of his two home runs, leading the Rangers to a 3-1 win and sending the White Sox to their fourth loss in five games.
"Everyone's got their guy, I guess," said Sale (10-2). "Good thing I don't have to face him more than a couple times a year."
Rosales hit a two-run shot in the second, giving himself six hits with three homers, in 11 career at-bats against Sale, a three-time All-Star.
Rosales added a solo shot in the seventh for the first multihomer game of his career.
"Sale is a great pitcher," Rosales said. "I've just been fortunate in the few at-bats I've had against him."
White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton left the game with a sore lower back after running full-speed into the right-center field fence trying to catch Rosales' first homer. X-rays were negative and he is considered day-to-day.
"I've never done that before. Little embarrassed," Eaton said.
Nick Tepesch (4-7) gave up six hits in 5 2-3 scoreless innings. He had lost four straight decisions, and skipped a turn because of a sore left knee.
Tepesch sailed through five innings before leaving with runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth. Roman Mendez replaced him and got major league home run leader Jose Abreu to ground out.
The White Sox, who went 2-6 in their homestand against two of the major's worst teams (Texas and Minnesota), helped Tepesch's cause with a couple baserunning errors.
Alexei Ramirez was picked off in the first trying to steal second. Dayan Viciedo was doubled off at second on a hard liner that didn't escape the infield in the fifth.
"We've got to be better at that," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "And these are guys that it seems to be happening over and over again."
The Rangers, who began the day with baseball's worst record, have won consecutive games for the first time since June 27-28. They routed the White Sox 16-0 on Tuesday night.
Sale allowed three hits in six innings, striking out nine. His only other loss this season came on June 12, when he was outdueled by Detroit's Max Scherzer.
"Just sporadic through the whole day," Sale said, referring to his fastball control. "It's been the last couple starts."
Chicago's Dayan Viciedo homered in the seventh off Roman Mendez. Neftali Feliz got two outs for his fourth save in five chances.
ANOTHER NUMBERS GAME
One guy who didn't have Sale's number was Elvis Andrus. The Texas shortstop began the day 0 for 15 lifetime against Sale before singling twice and walking.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: Alejandro De Aza was back in left field after sitting out Tuesday night's game with a bruised left knee. ... Pitching coach Don Cooper missed the game because of a recurrence of vertigo-like symptoms. He won't make the trip with the team to Seattle. Cooper has missed 13 games with the condition so far.