Kumar Rocker gets assist from pickle juice in win as Rangers top White
Sox 2-1
[June 16, 2025] By
SCHUYLER DIXON
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie right-hander Kumar
Rocker pitched five scoreless innings with help from some pickle juice,
Ezequiel Duran put Texas in front for good with an RBI double and the
Rangers finished a sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 2-1 victory on
Sunday. |
Texas Rangers first base Jake Burger (21) hands the baseball game ball
to starting pitcher Kumar Rocker during the fifth inning against the
Chicago White Sox, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP
Photo/LM Otero) |
|
Rocker (2-4) twice got visits from the trainer
with apparent cramping in his legs in the fifth, and quickly
chugged three bottles of pickle juice along the way, while
getting through the inning. The 25-year-old allowed four hits
and a walk with six strikeouts.
Aaron Civale (1-3) allowed two runs after walking four of the
first seven hitters he faced in his debut for the White Sox, two
days after getting traded by Milwaukee. The right-hander said he
wanted to remain a starter, with the Brewers or another team,
after getting sent to the bullpen.
Marcus Semien's sacrifice fly put Texas ahead 2-0 in the fifth
after Duran's run-scoring hit in the second. Miguel Vargas hit
his team-leading 10th homer for the White Sox, who have lost 10
in a row at Texas.
Luke Jackson pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save — and
first since April 25 — in 11 chances.
Key moment
Chicago's Josh Rojas was thrown out trying to steal second base
with runners at the corners and one out in the seventh, and Ryan
Noda didn't break from third on Kyle Higashioka's throw. Three
pitches later, Mike Tauchman was called out on strikes to end
the inning.
Key stat
The Rangers have won seven of eight games to get back to .500
for the first time since May 21.
Up next
Both teams are off Monday before starting three-game series at
home Tuesday. White Sox rookie RHP Shane Smith (3-3, 2.37 ERA)
is set to go against St. Louis. Texas RHP Jack Leiter (4-3,
3.88) is on tap against Kansas City.
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