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Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy has been scratched from Thursday's start against the Texas Rangers in Arlington with back spasms and will be replaced by Hector Santiago, according to the team's website.

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ARLINGTON, Texas -- The second inning began like it was going to be Chris Sale's downfall. Instead, it became a momentum-builder.

Sale was roughed up in the second stanza for four hits, including a home run. He also walked a batter.

Yet he escaped allowing only two runs.

Given new life, the left-hander with a mid-90s fastball breezed from there, shutting out the Texas Rangers over his final five innings in a 5-2 victory for the Chicago White Sox.

"The turning point was that second inning," Sale, who improved to 3-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.83, said. "Something I’ve had to learn is the game isn’t over in the second inning.

“I came out of that inning feeling strong mentally. I just kept pushing until the bullpen took over, and those guys kept it right where it was."

Some of the damage in the second inning came from the Rangers hitting good pitches.

"But a couple were bad pitches," Sale admitted.

Jeff Baker drove Sale’s low breaking ball over the left-field wall an estimated 393 feet to cut the White Sox lead to 2-1. A walk and singles by Geovany Soto and Craig Gentry loaded the bases. Ian Kinsler drilled a Sale pitch off the left-field wall, but due to a baserunning error by Soto, the Rangers produced only one score.

With a two-run lead gone and the bases loaded, Sale went to work. He struck out Elvis Andrus for the second out after a long battle and induced Lance Berkman into a fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop.

He went on to retire 10 Rangers in a row at one point.

"For him to come out of that inning only giving up two [runs] was big," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "That’s a tough lineup he was facing. He kept them off balance."

Sale allowed six hits but only one after the second inning. He walked two and struck out seven. He finished strong, too, pitching a 1-2-3 seventh with a pair of strikeouts.

Stopping the White Sox’s three-game losing streak was important to Sale.

"When you want to stop a streak, it’s important to go out and do everything you can to get a win," he said. "That’s what I did."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Closer Addison Reed said he was trying to pitch A.J. Pierzynski inside, but he was not trying to intentionally hit his former Chicago White Sox teammate known for outspoken ways.

"I was trying to throw inside and it happened to hit him," said Reed, who worked a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. "Was I trying to hit him? Absolutely not."

Reed said he enjoyed throwing to Pierzynski when he was the White Sox catcher.

"I grew up a Sox fan rooting for him," Reed said. "I have nothing at all against him."

Pierzynski, signed by the Texas Rangers in the offseason, was used as a pinch hitter with two outs and nobody on in the ninth with the White Sox leading 5-2. Reed’s pitch hit Pierzynski in the elbow.

With a three-run lead against the powerful Rangers lineup, White Sox manager Robin Ventura explained, "We’re not trying to put anybody on base."

"You saw what happened," he said. "Thirty seconds later, they had the tying run at the plate. There was no message sent."

Reed said there was no conversation between himself and Pierzynski after the incident.

"I didn’t hear anything," Reed said. "I had other things on my mind."

In the Rangers clubhouse, Pierzynski said he wasn’t aware of any problems with Reed.

"Not that I know of," Pierzynski said. "I always got along fine with him."

Ian Kinsler singled after Pierzynski was hit. But Reed struck out Elvis Andrus, representing the tying run, with two on to complete his ninth save of the season. Reed has converted 15 straight save opportunities dating back to the 2012 season.

Together with Jesse Crain and Matt Thornton, the White Sox bullpen did not allow a run. Coming into the game, the bullpen had been tagged for a 7.43 ERA and an 0-4 record over the preceding eight games.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox used a pair of seventh-inning homers to even the three-game series at a game apiece with a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night before 34,677 at Rangers Ballpark.

How it happened: Conor Gillaspie launched a home run over the right-field wall an estimated 384 feet to snap a 2-2 tie leading off the seventh. Two outs later Alejandro De Aza lined a two-run shot into the seats near the right-field foul pole, at 353 feet. The White Sox have homered in 10 straight games. Alex Rios staked the White Sox to a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single, scoring De Aza, who doubled to open the game. Paul Konerko opened the second with a double and, after a Gillaspie single, scored on Tyler Flowers’ double-play ball to make it 2-0. The Rangers tied it in the bottom of the second on a Jeff Baker home run and Ian Kinsler’s RBI single.

What it means: The White Sox ended a three-game losing streak with much improved play over the previous night’s 10-6 loss to Texas. For the second straight game, the White Sox couldn’t hold an early 2-0 lead. But Chris Sale kept middle-inning relief from becoming a factor by pitching seven innings. The bullpen, struggling with a 7.43 ERA in the last eight games, got the job done ... but not without an anxious moment or two. The first two Rangers that Jesse Crain faced in the eighth singled. But he worked out of trouble with final-out help from Matt Thornton. Addison Reed, who converted his 15th straight save, stirred the pot by hitting pinch hitter A.J. Pierzynski with two out in the ninth, followed by a single by Kinsler. But Reed ended it with a strikeout.

Outside the box: What is it about Sale and the American League West? With his win over the Rangers, Sale is now 8-0 against the West. He came into the game with an ERA of 3.18 in games against the West, with 69 strikeouts in 68 innings. Sale allowed only two Rangers to reach base in the final five innings of a strong seven-inning start. Once handed a three-run lead, Sale finished his night with a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, striking out two and fanning Kinsler on his 110th pitch. Sale held the hot Texas bats to six hits while striking out seven.

Offbeat: The White Sox caught a break in the second inning, when Kinsler’s line drive off the left-field wall with the bases loaded scored only one Rangers run. Credit left fielder De Aza’s quick recovery. Also credit some questionable base running. Geovany Soto, at second base, didn’t appear to get a good read on the ball. Craig Gentry, the runner at first, ran up on Soto and was only a few feet behind when touching second. Soto had to stop at third. Sale made it an important play by retiring the next two hitters to prevent further damage and keep the score 2-2.

Up next: Right-hander Jake Peavy (3-1), coming off a solid performance in a winning effort over the Tampa Bay Rays, will be opposed by Justin Grimm (2-0) in the conclusion of the three-game series with Texas in a 7:05 p.m. start Thursday at Rangers Ballpark. The forecast calls for a game-time temperature of 50 degrees after a cold front passes.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- When newly-acquired corner outfielder Casper Wells joined the Chicago White Sox before Tuesday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers, he donned the uniform of his fourth major league team this spring.
Four teams, all in the American League, in the space of five weeks.

“It is a record?’’ Wells said. “I don’t know.

“I’d like to say I’m getting used to it. I’ve met a lot of teammates,’’ said Wells, who is good-natured about his travels. “But I know I’m capable of playing at this level. It’s not like I’m a rookie. Every day, it is important for me to just bring it.’’

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ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox bullpen surrendered six runs in the sixth inning of a 10-6 loss to the Texas Rangers Tuesday night.

How it happened: Left-handed reliever Donnie Veal was brought in by White Sox manager Robin Ventura to face left-handed hitting Mitch Moreland with a runner on first in the sixth inning of a 4-4 tie. Moreland lined a pitch over the head of left fielder Alejandro De Aza, who was playing shallow and didn’t seem to take the best angle. Geovany Soto scored easily on the double for a 5-4 lead. Ian Kinsler singled off the third reliever of the inning, Nate Jones, scoring Moreland with the sixth Texas run. Then, it turned ugly. Back-to-back wild pitches by Jones enabled a couple of more runs. Adrian Beltre finished off the six-run outburst with a two-run home run and Texas would have all the scoring it would need.

What it means: The White Sox dropped their third straight game in the opener of an eight-game, three-city road trip. After getting off to a quick 2-0 lead against Yu Darvish and then fighting back to overcome a two-run deficit in the sixth, the White Sox bullpen faltered. It is the continuation of a trend. The bullpen was 0-3 with a 6.08 ERA in seven preceding games after performing well (3-3, 1.63) in its first 17 games.

Outside the box: Shortstop Alexei Ramirez had very little reaction time, but that didn’t keep him from making a brilliant defensive play to turn away an early Rangers threat. Ramirez lunged to his left to glove a scalding one-hopper off the bat of Soto and turned it into an easy double play that ended the second inning.

Offbeat: Dewayne Wise was not in the original starting lineup. But when starting center fielder Jordan Danks came up hobbled with an inflamed bursa sac behind his right knee, Wise was inserted in the ninth spot in the order. Wise made the most of his opportunity, matching a career high in hits in a game with four. Wise had singles in his first two trips, followed by a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth, all off Darvish. Wise finished his big night with a double in the eighth. Wise’s home run extended the White Sox streak to nine games in which they have homered.

Up next: Left-hander Chris Sale (2-2), coming off a strong outing in a 5-2 win over Tampa Bay, will go against Nick Tepesch (2-1) Wednesday in a 7:05 p.m. start at Rangers Ballpark.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chicago White Sox centerfielder Jordan Danks was scratched two hours before the series opener against the Texas Rangers due to a bursa sac inflammation behind the right knee.

Dewayne Wise will spell Danks, a native Texan, in centerfield and bat ninth.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Danks’ injury wasn’t serious.

“It was one of those decisions that we’d rather have him available off the bench than start him and have to take him out after a couple of innings,’’ the manager said.

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's need to pay cash for a backup outfielder Monday brings to light all of the issues that have continued to torment highly-regarded prospect Jared Mitchell.

The former first-round draft pick, whom the White Sox continue to hold in high regard, can't seem to catch a break and the White Sox's acquisition of Casper Wells from the Oakland Athletics on Monday only seems to highlight that.

The early-season injury to Dayan Viciedo, and the fact that the team started the season with only four outfielders, has brought the White Sox's major-league ready depth into focus. On the lower levels, the White Sox have some of the most impressive outfield talent around, but when it comes to players who can jump into the major leagues now, it isn't nearly as strong.

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CHICAGO -- The lone bright spot on an otherwise tough day for the White Sox was a Paul Konerko drive that inched him up a pair of home-run lists.

Konerko’s two-run home run in the third inning off Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price was the 426th of his career, tying him with Billy Williams for 45th on the all-time list. He is also just 29 home runs behind Frank Thomas on the White Sox’s all-time list.

In typical Konerko fashion, he was less worried about his place in history and more concerned about the game that had just been played and the next one in front of him.

“It’s cool, I guess,” Konerko said about matching Williams. “I don’t think too much about it. Right now, I’m one of those guys trying to find a feel. I feel good in one at-bat and the other at-bat it might go away.”

Against Price, Konerko is now 10-for-20 (.500) lifetime with two home runs and six RBIs. The long ball also ended his 65 at-bat homerless streak at U.S. Cellular Field. His last one came Sept. 25 of last season against the Cleveland Indians.

“Facing some good pitching, you just have to strap it on,” Konerko said. “So I’m not thinking too much about [home-run lists] because I know the guy on the mound doesn’t give a [expletive]. So I can’t, either, and I wouldn’t either way. They’re trying to get me out. As long as that’s happening, I have to be focused in.”

CHICAGO -- While the bullpen strains under the weight it is being asked to carry and the defense continues to provide more assistance to the opposing offense, the Chicago White Sox continue to drift aimlessly.

Another loss by a reliever was combined with two more White Sox errors that led to an 8-3 defeat by the Tampa Bay Rays and a 3-5 homestand that followed a 3-7 road trip.

Making it that much worse is that the White Sox need to step up their game in the wake of so many April injuries, not regress in areas that were a supposed strength.

The bullpen is still top-notch, but a lack of run support has left it pitching in tight games each and every night, and things haven’t always gone the Sox's way in such circumstances. Nate Jones was tagged with the loss Sunday, the bullpen’s sixth loss this season. Only the Toronto Blue Jays and their eight bullpen defeats have more in the American League.

“We’re looking at what you have here and what’s available, and you go from there,” manager Robin Ventura said. “You try to win games right now not waiting and looking in the future. Guys are playing hard and this is one of those that is probably a work in progress of trying to figure that out and who’s playing and who’s doing what. But again, you try to make due and make sure everybody is giving a constant effort. That’s all you can ask.”

Ultimately, it all goes back to that ineffective offense. Adam Dunn, whose struggles have been mighty in the early going, continued to show signs of life with a first-inning RBI single. Team leader Paul Konerko added a two-run home run.

Everybody else, though, was an easy target for Rays starter David Price, who snapped a streak of five starts without a victory. His last truimph came Sept. 30 of last season, against the White Sox.

The White Sox have already used the disabled list six times in the first 24 games, an extreme worst-case scenario for a club that lacks not only roster depth but in potential breakthrough prospects at the minor league level.

Tyler Green (second base), Conor Gillaspie (third base) and Dewayne Wise (center field) all filled in for injured players Sunday and were a combined 1-for-10.

“I don’t sense anybody looking around saying we can’t win with what we have,” Konerko said. “I think the only time you think about those guys is when you see them. I think every team is going to have that little span during the season where it seems like every day somebody’s going down. Hopefully, this is ours right now and we start getting guys back and we’re kind of over that and it’s done with and some other team’s going to have to deal with that in August or September, maybe.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox were upended 8-3 by the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday to end an abbreviated homestand with a 3-5 record.

How it happened: Paul Konerko hit his fourth home run and Adam Dunn continued his revival with a first-inning RBI single. But the White Sox sprung a leak in the later innings as Matt Joyce hit a game-tying two-run home run in the sixth inning, while the bullpen, combined with an error from Alex Rios, was touched for a three-run eighth inning. Ben Zobrist singled in a run in the eighth against Nate Jones for a 4-3 Rays lead, and with the White Sox almost out of the inning, Rios dropped a two-out shallow fly ball for two more runs.

What it means: The combination of an inconsistent offense and a less-than-trustworthy defense continues to cause the White Sox problems. Dylan Axelrod gave up three runs over six innings, but the White Sox offense could only match that total. Add to that two more errors, one of which led to the two eighth-inning runs, and the White Sox simply have too much to overcome in a daily basis. The White Sox entered play on Sunday tied with the Indians for most errors among AL Central teams (14).

Outside the box: Konerko managed to move himself up two home run lists Sunday. He not only hit his 426th home run to tie Billy Williams for 45th on the all-time list, but he also closed the gap on Frank Thomas’ White Sox career home-run mark. Konerko is now 29 home runs away from Thomas, who had 448 in a White Sox uniform. Konerko hit seven big league home runs before joining the White Sox.

Offbeat: It might be time to update Conor Gillaspie’s profile from a developing defender to one who has an unconventional give-and-take style. Gillaspie has always been a work in progress with the glove but has been a pleasant surprise since coming over to the White Sox. He made a first-inning error on an easy ground ball, only to atone for the miscue with a diving stop to his left on a ground ball from Evan Longoria and throw to first for the out. He made a similar play earlier in the homestand to cut down a runner at the plate.

Up next: The White Sox will have a day off Monday before opening an eight-game, three-city road trip at Texas. In the series opener on Tuesday, White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana (2-0, 2.78) will oppose Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish (4-1, 1.65) in the 7:05 p.m. start from Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox made it official, saying John Danks will begin his minor league rehab assignment Thursday at Double-A Birmingham.

The left-hander, who had shoulder surgery in August, hasn’t pitched in a major league game since last May.

Danks pitched in spring training but started the season on the disabled list because of low velocity. He has spent the past month at extended spring training, pitching every fifth or sixth day in controlled settings. His last outing in Arizona was on Friday, although he tabbed it as not the sharpest performance.

There is no timetable on Danks’ return to the White Sox, although he hopes that with Gavin Floyd's move to the disabled list Sunday that he could be on the fast track back to the club. Danks expects to make at least two starts in minor league games, although he did admit it could be more.

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn appears to have seamlessly slid into his new role as the top baseball executive in the organization. Although former GM Ken Williams has a title above Hahn’s position, it is clear the Winnetka, Ill., native is calling most of the shots. The team's early struggles with key injuries that have contributed to a slow start have not changed Hahn’s optimistic demeanor or his accessibility.

Having had ten years in the trenches as the club's assistant GM appears to have made the transition easier for the people he works with."There is always a change when someone new takes over,“ said second-year manager Robin Ventura. “I don’t think anything has changed here philosophy wise. For me, it has been easy because we spent a lot of time together last year. We are dealing with different issues but handling things in similar ways. Rick and Kenny are just different personalities.”

Hahn has a less aggressive style by nature than Williams but is known as a stone-cold hardliner when it comes to making decisions on talent and money issues. The friendly exterior person he projects should not be confused with the single-minded executive who has shown he is not afraid to say no or turn away from a bad deal. Hahn made his bones by saving the franchise millions of dollars in contract layouts. He signed young players like Mark Buehrle to long-term deals in the early stages of their careers. That type of proactive move worked two-fold: It provided security for the player and another revenue stream to add other good players to the White Sox mix.

The only player who has been here longer than Hahn is team captain Paul Konerko. The veteran first baseman looks at Hahn as a top communicator and a shrewd handler of people. “There won’t be any times where Rick would be caught saying 'why didn’t we think of that?‘" Konerko said in explaining Hahn’s penchant for detail. “Rick and Kenny are the type of baseball men who are dialed in 24 hours a day.”

Hahn has had to adjust to people treating him in a different matter rather than the reverse. “I have seen a difference in the office staff at times but not with the baseball scouts and personnel,“ he said. “Everyone means it out of respect, saying things like ‘I know your busy,‘ when in reality I was the one who initiated the conversation.”

The Sox's poor start as a team while losing two starting position players within a week has tested the 39-year-old executive early in his tenure as GM. “I certainly feel more responsible when things get difficult as you weigh various depth options maybe knowing that right piece isn’t there waiting for you,” Hahn said. “It already has been a rough year injury wise, and, for the most part, we have had someone to come up and help. I do feel a greater responsibility when things don’t go how we planned it to go.“

The White Sox GM is still working closely with Williams, who is out looking at high school and college players for the June draft. “He is always there as a resource even if he isn’t here on a daily basis,” Hahn said. “This has been a little bit of a transition for him. So far, I think it has been good for both of us."

CHICAGO -- Jeff Keppinger was out of the Chicago White Sox’s lineup for a third consecutive day with back spasms, but the club isn’t anticipating a stint on the disabled list.

“It looks like he’ll be good by Tuesday, for sure,” manager Robin Ventura said.

The White Sox have a day off Monday before opening a three-game series and an eight-game, three-city road trip Tuesday at Texas.

Before his back discomfort surfaced, Keppinger had started to recover from a slow start with two hits in three consecutive games.

The White Sox have already seen six players go to the disabled list this season. Keppinger would have ran that total to seven and three from the Opening Day starting lineup.

CHICAGO -- Although he didn’t know the details, John Danks still got the word he had been waiting to hear.

After nearly a month of pitching at extended spring training, the rehabbing Danks will make his next outing in a minor league game.

Danks still doesn’t know if he will be going to Double-A Birmingham or Triple-A Charlotte later this week, but simply knowing a change of pace is coming managed to lift his spirits.

“Obviously, in the scheme of things it has to be done on the field, but to graduate from Arizona [extended spring training] and get to move on, that's a good thing,” Danks said.

The left-hander had shoulder surgery Aug. 6 and hasn’t pitched in a major league game since May 19 of last year. He pitched in spring training, albeit on a cautious schedule, and started the season on the disabled list.

With Gavin Floyd now on the disabled list, Danks admitted to some extra incentive to finish up his rehab and rejoin the rotation. But if he had it his way, he would have started the season with the club despite lower velocity than he is accustomed to.

As it is, he might never reach the 94 mph range with his fastball and will have to learn the craftier side of pitching. He has said he is willing to make those adjustments.

“That was hard to watch,” Danks said about seeing Floyd leave his Saturday start early. “I don't know the extent of his injury, but we all hope he is OK. That's actually what I said [Saturday] when it happened: ‘I'm ready. I'm ready to get back out there.’ Maybe that'll move the process along a little quicker, I don't know. As far as my recovery goes, I'm on the right path.”

Calling the pace of an extended spring outing a “high-school scrimmage,” Danks just wants to get in a real game-setting again with fans in the seats, vendors walking the aisles and the smell of grilled meats in the air.

“There's going to be a couple people there and it's actually run as a game,” Danks said. “That's the big thing … It'll be fun to get out there and pitch in an atmosphere.”