CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox were crushed 16-0 by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, the second time in three days they gave up 16 runs in a game.
How it happened: White Sox starter John Danks was rocked, giving up nine runs on eight hits, including four home runs, in 4⅔ innings. Danks also walked five batters. The Rangers ended the night with five home runs, their most in a game since last season against the White Sox. Adam Dunn was called on to pitch the ninth inning in the blowout, and he gave up only one run, topping out at 83 mph on the radar gun. Rangers starter Colby Lewis gave up six hits in the complete-game shutout.
What it means: So much for the top three members of the White Sox rotation, as that group has been reduced to two: Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. Danks has a 10.29 ERA over his four starts since the All-Star break and also has given up nine home runs in that span. The struggles have come after Danks went 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in his four starts before the break.
Outside the box: Before the game, Danks, Sale and Quintana boasted a combined 25-14 record and a 3.21 ERA over 62 starts (44 quality). Not only has Danks fallen by the wayside in the group, but Sale and Quintana have completely distanced themselves. Quintana is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA over his past nine starts, while Sale is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA over his past five.
Offbeat: The White Sox’s Moises Sierra had his patience tested Thursday as the Rangers’ offense erupted early. Sierra was in the ninth spot of Chicago's batting order and didn’t come to the plate for the first time until he led off in the third inning. But by that time, Rangers leadoff man Shin-Soo Choo already had made three trips to the plate, hitting a double, striking out and grounding into a double play.
Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Sale (10-1, 2.09 ERA) to the mound Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. The Rangers will counter with right-hander Nick Tepesch (3-7, 4.84) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.
