White Sox 5, Rangers 5: A Soccer Tie

Another shortened game today from sunny Glendale (six innings) that saw the Sox leading early against the Rangers but end up in a tie. Just like a soccer game!

The Texas Rangers are making a complete teardown and rebuild of their team (again), which is difficult to do without a stacked minor league system. They have young players with a lot of potential, as well as some decent veterans in the clubhouse (not necessarily veterans on the team) who can help guide things. We’ll see how they shape up.

STOP THE COUNT

The first and second innings ended without three outs, as the Rangers called it after Kohei Arihara threw a lot of pitches for a spring training game. Unfortunately, the second ended with bases loaded and fans were audibly upset — who doesn’t want to see what happens with bases loaded? Very “stop the count” of the Rangers.

The whole “we’re just going to end the inning” part of spring training is very strange. Sure, pitchers are still getting in to shape and what not, but there’s nothing that says “speeding up the game” like ending an inning before all three outs.

HOMERS

Andrew Vaughn hit a three-run bomb to left in the first, trying to make a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Ronald Guzman answered in kind with a home run of his own. Joey Gallo followed with a long ball in the fourth, which was the end of the home run derby. The rest of the scoring plays were from a smattering of singles, a sac fly, and a double on all sides.

HE PLAYS FOR THE RANGERS NOW

One of my favorite parts of spring training is the game of “Oh, he plays for this team now.” In today’s edition we learn that Khris Davis, Brock Holt, and Drew Butera are hanging out in the Rangers dugout.

One name synonymous with the Texas Rangers (Elvis Andrus) has been sent to greener uniforms, and it is hard not to notice the missing energy of Elvis.

STILL WORKING THE KINKS OUT

The White Sox are still working out some of the bugs. Jonathan Lucroy made his debut for the team and made an attempt to throw to second that almost took Bernando Flores Jr.’s head off. Later, José Abreu helped him to make up for the stolen base with an assist on a play at the plate.

It’s still early enough that we’ll see these things work themselves out. Our boys will be in great defensive shape come April 1!

RETURN OF THE BATTING WOES?

I know, I know, it’s game three of spring training, but I always get a little nervous by anyone who has a .000 BA. Looking at you, Zack Collins, Zach Remillard, Gavin Sheets, and Matt Reynolds.

GIANT GIOLITO

Lucas Giolito made his spring training debut and appeared to look like a giant on the mound. Is it the camera angle? The mound? The fact that he’s close to seven feet tall?

Who can say.