On Thursday afternoon, Nathan Eovaldi delivered a stellar performance as the Texas Rangers secured a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, completing a three-game sweep at Guaranteed Rate Field. Eovaldi’s dominant pitching was a highlight of the game, as he struck out 10 batters while allowing only one hit and two walks over seven innings. This win marked the Rangers’ first sweep since they took four games from the White Sox on July 25, and it capped off a perfect 7-0 season series against Chicago.
Corey Seager provided the Rangers with an early lead by hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning. The Rangers extended their lead in the seventh inning when Wyatt Langford drove in a run with a groundout. Despite a late surge from the White Sox, with Andrew Benintendi hitting a home run off Rangers closer Kirby Yates in the ninth inning, Yates managed to secure his 25th save of the season, preserving the 2-1 victory.
Here are three key takeaways from Thursday’s game:
1. Eovaldi’s Exceptional Performance
Nathan Eovaldi delivered one of his most impressive outings of the season. He pitched effectively, keeping the White Sox hitless until Gavin Sheets broke the spell with a leadoff single in the fifth inning. Eovaldi’s 10 strikeouts matched his season-high, a feat he also achieved against the White Sox on July 24. The one-hit performance over seven innings was also reminiscent of his dominant start against the San Diego Padres on July 2.
2. Key Contributions from Rangers’ Batters
Although Corey Seager’s home run was crucial, the Rangers’ offensive success was also due to significant contributions from Josh Smith, Nathaniel Lowe, and Josh Jung. Each of these players recorded two hits in the game, with Smith and Lowe also hitting doubles. Lowe’s double in the seventh inning was particularly important as it set up Langford’s RBI groundout, which provided the Rangers with an insurance run.
3. Upcoming Series
Looking ahead, the Rangers are set to begin a weekend series against the Oakland Athletics. The opening game will feature right-hander Jon Gray (5-5, 4.32 ERA) pitching for the Rangers against the Athletics’ left-hander JP Sears (10-9, 4.35 ERA). The game is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. on Friday at Globe Life Field.
This latest victory solidifies the Rangers’ strong performance against the White Sox and sets them up for continued success as they head into their next series.
