White Sox turn page with 8-3 win over Rangers

In major-league baseball, there's drama on a near daily basis.

Much of it is minor in nature, but major episodes are not at all uncommon.

In either case, the drama always fades, replaced by the next new thing to talk about.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa's decision to issue an intentional walk on a 1-2 pitch in Thursday's 11-9 loss to the Dodgers definitely falls in the major category.

Putting Trea Turner on base with two strikes was a baffling move, and La Russa was bombarded with criticism after Max Muncy followed with a 3-run homer that concluded with a profane celebration aimed at the Sox manager when he reached the plate.

Before Friday night's game against the Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field - the White Sox won 8-3 - La Russa was still apologizing for nothing.

The 77-year-old Hall of Famer also said "I'm even more surprised" about all of the backlash 24 hours after it happened.

"The reality is, don't worry about covering your butt," La Russa said. "Don't worry about it, because you can't. It actually frees you to do what you think is right. I'm always fascinated and that's part of the reason I'm still here. I really embrace the excitement of making those decisions.

"If it don't go right, I have enough scabs. I can take it."

La Russa said Paul Richards, who managed the White Sox from 1951-54 and again in 1976, taught him some lessons he still follows today.

"I remember when I came into the league, crappy player, little bit of managing experience," La Russa said. "Paul Richards told me, he was really good with young managers, he said there's a different kind of attention you get in the big leagues. He says, trust your gut, don't cover your butt. He says because if you make moves to cover your butt, and they usually don't work and you get fired, you'll never know if you're good enough."

There was little drama in Friday's series opener against Texas, thanks to some late fireworks from the Sox's offense.

Locked in a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth, the White Sox scored 5 runs to put away the Rangers.

Yasmani Grandal got the inning going with a 2-run double and Danny Mendick finished it with a 2-run homer. All of the damage came with two outs.

"Amazing rally," La Russa said.

Reynaldo Lopez got the start for the Sox and was slated to pitch only 1 inning. Before turning it over to Davis Martin, Lopez had 3 strikeouts in 2 scoreless innings.

"He was too impressive to take out," La Russa said of Lopez. "That really set up the game. His two innings were critical."