Rangers hold fire Sale in Chicago.

 The Rangers kicked off a road trip last night in Chicago against the White Sox. Both teams were pretty hot coming into the series. Texas sent Martin Perez to the mound. The ChiSox countered with Chris Sale.

The Rangers role players started the offense against Sale with Jeff Baker and Adam Rosales going deep in the top of the second inning to account for all four Ranger runs to that point.

Perez stumbled in the bottom of the second, allowing three Palehose runs. He was able to settle down after that for the most part.

In the top of the third Ian Kinsler, shown here on card 43 of the 2012 Topps National Chicle set, hammered a ball to left field. The ball got caught under the padding of the wall. While Chicago outfielder Dayan Viciedo dug the ball out Kinsler kept motoring around the bases. Viciedo's throw missed the cut-off man and Kinsler made it home. Inside the park home run! I think those types of long balls are the best blend of speed and power.

Texas added another run in the top of the fourth and Chicago answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Adrian Beltre got that run back for the Rangers when he hammered an over the fence home run in the top of the fifth. Another run in the top of the seventh, a pinch-hit two run shot in the eight for Mitch Moreland, and an additional run in the top of the ninth rounded out the Rangers scoring.

The Sox were able to plate a run in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn't enough. Final: Texas - 11, Chicago - 5. Perez picks up his seventh win in another deep outing as he went seven innings. The offense showed some power along with the speed. Both are good to see. Perhaps even better is the 13-3 record Texas is sporting following the loss of Nelson Cruz. That record and the A's loss last night accounts for the 3.5 game lead over Oakland in the American League West.