Seager Returns, Helps Texas Rangers Dismantle White Sox To Win Series

The Texas Rangers scored early and often and Dane Dunning put together a sterling start to help them win their second straight.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers maintained their slim lead in the American League West with an 11-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night at Globe Life Field. 

The Rangers (62-46) went into the game tied for the AL West lead with the Houston Astros, who defeated Cleveland in the afternoon. With their victory over the White Sox (43-66), the Rangers moved back one-half game ahead of the Astros. 

The Rangers broke the game open in the second inning, already up 2-0. The five-run frame chased off last year's Cy Young runner-up, Dylan Cease (4-5) and put the Rangers in control of the game, as they had a 7-0 lead after two innings. 

Corey Seager returned from the injured list and drove in three runs.

Dane Dunning (9-4) gave up three hits and one run before handing things off to the bullpen. 

Rangers 11, White Sox 1

Notables from Wednesday night's Rangers-White Sox game.

Rangers Offensive Surge

Texas scored seven of its 11 runs in the first two innings. In the first inning, shortstop Corey Seager made his return to the lineup and hit a two-run home run off White Sox starter Dylan Cease to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. It was Seager's first action since July 21. 

In the second, the Rangers scored five more runs, with Travis Jankowski's two-RBI double breaking the game open. It was Jankowski's only hit of the game. 

Josh Jung hit a two-run home run. Semien also homered, a two-run shot that hit the foul pole in left field. 

Seager went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs, while Nathaniel Lowe and Semien each had two hits. Catcher Sam Huff went 3-for-3 and scored a run from the No. 9 spot.

Dunning Gets it Done

Dane Dunning slid out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, and from there he was basically untouchable. He retired 21 straight hitters until he gave up a solo home run to Chicago catcher Seby Zavala with two out in the eighth inning. He went 7 2/3 innings, giving up one run, three hits and a walk. He also struck out a career-high 11 and won his first game since a 6-2 victory over Boston on July 4. 

The Rangers' newest reliever, Chris Stratton, came on for Dunning and finished off the game. 

Next Up

The Rangers and White Sox play the final game of their series at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday. It will be the Rangers debut of Max Scherzer, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets on Saturday. It will be his first game as an American League starter since his final season in Detroit in 2014. He is 9-4 with a 4.01 ERA this season. He'll face White Sox starter Touki Toussaint (1-3, 3.50).

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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