Michael Kopech dazzles as White Sox complete sweep of Rangers

[April 26, 2021]  Jose Abreu homered and drove in three runs and Michael Kopech struck out 10 over five innings as the Chicago White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers with an 8-4 win Sunday.

Kopech (2-0), a right-hander, allowed one run on four hits with no walks on a career-high 87 pitches for the White Sox, who have won four straight and six of seven to move a season-high three games above .500.

Texas right-hander Kohei Arihara (2-2) saw his 12 1/3 scoreless-innings streak end in the first with Abreu's two-run blast into the left-field bleachers.

Arihara gave up five runs, six hits and four walks over two innings for Texas, which has lost four of its past five.

The Rangers answered in the top of the second with David Dahl's solo homer off Kopech, who had 10 strikeouts after four innings and now has 27 strikeouts in his first six games (two starts) covering 15 2/3 innings.

Zack Collins had a career-high three hits for Chicago, which pulled ahead 5-1 with three runs in the bottom of the second.

Nick Madrigal began the frame with a leadoff single and scored on Tim Anderson's double before Adam Eaton followed with a run-scoring triple. Eaton then scored on Abreu's sacrifice fly to right with one out.

Chicago extended its lead to 8-1 with three runs in the third when Madrigal tripled in two runs and scored on Eaton's sacrifice bunt.

Texas Rangers shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (9) steals second bases Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) stands nearby during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Gallo extended his season-opening on-base streak to 21 games with a single in the sixth, when Texas scored three runs to pull within striking distance. All three runs were charged to rookie Jonathan Stiever, who faced four batters and did not record an out.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits for the Rangers and is 10-for-24 during his five-game hitting streak. Gallo and Nick Solak added two hits apiece.

Madrigal, who doubled home the game-winning run in Saturday's 2-1 victory, collected two hits and two RBIs Sunday as the White Sox completed their first sweep of the season.

--Field Level Media