Chicago White Sox Bullpen Catcher Barehands Home Run [VIDEO]
STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Todd Frazier had to be stitched up after going all out for the Chicago White Sox, and they never seemed the same after the suddenly surging slugger had to leave the game.
Frazier had his third homer and 10th RBI in the three-game series before cutting his lower lip and biting a hole through his tongue while chasing a foul ball into the stands in the White Sox's 6-5 loss against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
"It kind of freaked me out because of the way he reacted," White Sox starter Mat Latos said. "It's a scary moment."
The Chicago third baseman homered in the fourth, but had to leave in the bottom of the inning after he fell hard face-first into an arm rest attached to seats in the first row while chasing Prince Fielder's foul pop. Frazier got up, put his glove over his face and immediately went to the White Sox dugout nearby. He needed five stitches for the cut lip.
"My momentum took me into the stands, and my head went right into the arm rest. Basically, I felt my tongue went through my bottom lip," Frazier said. "Ice it up a lot and I'll be good to go for Friday."
Frazier homered twice in the series opener Monday, including a tiebreaking grand slam in the 12th inning of an 8-4 victory.
But the White Sox then blew the lead three times in consecutive games in less than 24 hours. After losing 13-11 late Tuesday night, they lost again Wednesday, after leading 4-2 when Frazier left the game.
"He is that kind of guy for our team. And when you lose him, I think focus got lost there for a minute for Matty," manager Robin Ventura said. "You never want to lose a guy like that in your lineup."
Latos allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. With a win, he would have given the White Sox their first pair of starters to open a season 6-0 since at least 1913 (Chris Sale is 7-0). The right-hander walked five (one intentional) without a strikeout.
After Frazier's 11th homer of the season tied the game, Melky Cabrera followed with a single and Brett Lawrie homered into the White Sox bullpen in left field for a 4-2 lead. Bullpen catcher Adam Ricks caught Lawrie's deep fly, reaching up with his bare hand to make the grab.
But Frazier got hurt in the bottom of the inning, when he actually had the ball in the glove before he fell. He didn't wait for anyone to tend to him, instead going straight to the dugout.
"That's why I got scared, when I was like feeling with my tongue, making sure my teeth were there," he said. "I've never had that before."
Fielder doubled after Frazier left the game, but the Rangers didn't get even at 4 until the following inning when Fielder looped a two-run double down the left field line with the White Sox defense shifted the other way.
Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre had a throwing error in the sixth, ending his streak of 44 games without an error. That led to an unearned run that put the White Sox ahead 5-4 against Cole Hamels, but Texas went ahead to stay in the bottom of the inning after Ian Desmond tied the game with his second RBI single and Beltre had one of his own.
Tony Barnette (2-2) got the final out in the sixth and Sam Dyson got hit first save working then ninth, when he benefited from a strikeout-caught stealing double play.
Dan Jennings (1-1), who replaced Latos, allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings.
Hamels struck out nine with no walks in 5 2/3 innings but also gave up nine hits, the most the ace left-hander has allowed in his 19 starts for the Rangers since they acquired him in a trade last summer. But he got a no decision after his team rallied.
"It's great to see these guys never quit," Hamels said. "Everybody has a part in it. It's been a fun 24 hours."
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: After Frazier got stitched up, the White Sox said he is day to day.
Rangers: An MRI on A.J. Griffin's shoulder showed no issues. The right-hander will be able to resume throwing as soon as the inflammation subsides. Before joining the Rangers this season, Griffin (3-0, 2.94 ERA) hadn't pitched in the majors since 2013 because of right elbow surgery and a right shoulder strain.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Chicago has a day off Thursday before a three-game series at the New York Yankees starting Friday night.
Rangers: The Rangers open a three-game series at home Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
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