White Sox at Rangers
The Chicago White Sox look to register their eighth win in 12 games when they visit the Texas Rangers on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The White Sox notched a 5-4, 10-inning triumph in the series opener to improve their solid road record to 20-17.
Chicago pushed across the winning run on Friday when Yolmer Sanchez squeezed home Eloy Jimenez from third base. Zack Collins belted a 447-foot, three-run homer in his first major-league start while fellow rookie Ryan Cordell registered his second career three-hit performance. Texas lost for the third time in four games despite Nomar Mazara launching a 505-foot shot halfway up the second deck in right field for just his second homer of the month. Rougned Odor also went deep, improving to 2-for-23 over his last six contests - with both hits clearing the fence.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Odrisamer Despaigne (0-2, 8.71 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Lance Lynn (8-4, 4.16)
Despaigne lost both of his first two starts for the White Sox as he gave up 10 runs and 16 hits over 10 1/3 innings. The 32-year-old Cuban was torched for seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 frames while losing to the New York Yankees in his last turn. Despaigne is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in two career appearances (one start) versus the Rangers.
Lynn is unbeaten in his last four turns and has put together eight consecutive quality starts. The 32-year-old defeated Cleveland in his last outing as he gave up one run and six hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings. Lynn is 3-1 with a 2.49 ERA in seven career starts against the White Sox and has shut down Yonder Alonso (2-for-14) and James McCann (2-for-11).
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers OF Joey Gallo and DH Hunter Pence, along with McCann, are among the finalists for the Starters Election for the American League All-Star team.
2. Chicago RHP Alex Colome set a franchise record on Friday by converting his 16th consecutive save to start a season.
3. Texas 3B Asdrubal Cabrera was suspended for four games and fined an undisclosed amount for throwing equipment from the dugout toward umpire Bill Miller after being ejected from Thursday's game against the Indians. He appealed and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Friday.