White Sox blank Rangers 8-0 as magic number drops to 5

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Luis Robert hit a three-run double, Dylan Cease struck out 10 in five innings and the Chicago White Sox moved closer to their first division title in 13 years by trouncing the Texas Rangers 8-0 on Friday night.

Jose Abreu had two hits and drove in two runs, giving him 111 RBIs this season as the White Sox began an 11-game trip that will close their road schedule.

Chicago's magic number over Cleveland fell to five for winning the AL Central and securing a second consecutive postseason berth for the first time in franchise history.

White Sox rookie Romy Gonzalez doubled twice among his career-best three hits and Cease had his eighth double-digit strikeout game of the season.

Four relievers combined to shut out Texas on four singles the rest of the way.

Gonzalez, playing his eighth game since joining the club from Triple-A Charlotte, had his first multi-hit major league game. He added an RBI and scored twice.

The Rangers have lost four of five with two games left on a seven-game homestand following their most successful road trip of the season (6-3).

Cease (12-7) was one strikeout short of his season high. He gave up four hits and two walks but needed 92 pitches to get through five. The right-hander escaped early trouble, stranding five runners in the first three innings.

Taylor Hearn (6-5), trying to win his fifth consecutive start, allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings on eight hits and three walks.

The White Sox loaded the bases in the fourth with one out before Robert ripped a 2-0 sinker to left-center. The three RBIs matched his career high, and he also singled twice.

SHORT HOPS

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/White-Sox-blank-Rangers-8-0-as-magic-number-drops-16468975.php