SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The White Sox defeated the Rangers on Friday in Surprise, 8-5. The visitors scored 4 runs in the 9th inning, including a go-ahead 3-run home run with 2 outs in the frame, marking the 2nd time in 4 days for the Rangers to hold the lead with 2 outs in the 9th and not record a victory. Shin-Soo Choo returned to the lineup and reached safely in 2 of 3 plate appearances, recording a double and a walk. Hunter Pence entered the game as a reserve, hitting a double and reaching via walk in 2 trips.
Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor each drove in their first runs of the spring with RBI groundouts. After trailing in the early innings, the Rangers struck for 3 runs in the 6th inning, including a go-ahead RBI single by Leody Taveras. Starter Shelby Miller allowed a pair of runs in his only inning of work, but was followed by scoreless appearances from Yohander Méndez (2.0 IP, 2 SO), Nick Gardewine (1.0 IP), and Ariel Hernández (1.0 IP, 2 SO).
The Rangers travel to Scottsdale to face the Giants on Saturday, with first pitch set for 2:05 p.m. CT. LHP Mike Minor (0-0, 4.50) is slated to make his 2nd spring start and will oppose San Francisco LHP Derek Holland (0-0, 27.00). A radio broadcast will air on 105.3 The FAN and select radio network affiliates, with Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks on the call.
From Rangers PR staff reports