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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Justin Grimm, who will start for the Rangers in less then four hours against the Chicago White Sox, has been named American League Rookie of the Month.

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ESPN senior MLB analyst Buster Olney joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the Rangers' strong start, Matt Harrison's additional back surgery and much more. Listen

Grimm was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA for three starts in April and had 15 strikeouts and four walks in 17 innings. Opponents batted .239 against him and were 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position.

Grimm enters Thursday's start coming off a win against Minnesota last Friday in which he went seven innings and allowed five hits and no walks.

The 24-year-old Georgia Bulldogs product beat out fellow rookie starter Nick Tepesch, who was 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA for April.

Grimm is the fourth Ranger to win the AL Rookie of the Month since it was started in 2003. He joins Gerald Laird, Neftali Feliz and Yu Darvish, who won the award last April.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It's not necessarily a decision that cost the Rangers a game Wednesday night. But it's one that manager Ron Washington even second-guessed -- make that triple-guessed -- after a 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

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Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Mark Friedman discuss the latest with the Rangers, including their loss last night and Ron Washington's decision to leave Nick Tepesch in the game. Listen

Washington had reliever Joseph Ortiz ready in the bullpen for a lefty-lefty matchup with Alejandro De Aza with a runner on first and two outs and the Rangers trailing 3-2 in the top of the seventh. Starter Nick Tepesch had given up the lead on a leadoff home run by White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie and was at 103 pitches.

But Washington stuck with his rookie right-handed starter and Tepesch gave up a two-run home run to put the Rangers down 5-2 and make it more difficult for the offense to make a comeback.

"Bad decision by me," Washington said. "I stayed with Tepesch one batter too long. I should have brought in Ortiz and I didn't. I'll take the blame for that one."

Washington said he actually second-guessed himself. His intention was to go get Tepesch and bring in Ortiz to face De Aza. But Washington changed his mind and decided to give Tepesch a chance to get out of the inning.

"It didn't work," Washington said. "So it's a bad decision on my part."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nick Tepesch allowed two home runs in the top of the seventh as the Chicago White Sox snapped a 2-2 tie and beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday night at Rangers Ballpark.

Rough seventh for Tepesch: For the second straight start, rookie Nick Tepesch had a rough seventh inning. He allowed two home runs with the game tied at two. White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie led off the inning with a 384-foot home run to right-center field. With two outs, leadoff hitter Alejandro De Aza smacked a two-run home run to right field for a 5-2 lead. Tepesch had allowed two home runs in 27⅓ innings before Wednesday's seventh inning.

Too long with Nick?: Rangers manager Ron Washington stuck with Tepesch after Gillaspie's tiebreaking home run even though the right-hander was around 100 pitches. The White Sox made the Rangers pay with De Aza's two-out homer for a three-run lead.

Eighth-inning threat crumbles: The Rangers hadn't scored against White Sox reliever Jesse Crain in 27⅓ innings before Wednesday night. They had one of their best shots at him after Elvis Andrus and Lance Berkman led off with singles. But Adrian Beltre continued his struggles with a fly out to center but did move Andrus to third. Nelson Cruz struck out on a high fastball. Sox left-handed reliever Matt Thornton came in and got David Murphy to ground out back to the pitcher.

Baserunning gaffe: The Rangers should have scored more in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded, Ian Kinsler just missed a grand slam, as his line drive to left field hit off the top of the wall. The Rangers scored just one run because Geovany Soto didn't score from second base.

Beltre scuffles: Beltre, who had a two-run home run in his last at-bat Tuesday night, failed to get a hit with a runner at second base and two outs in the first inning. Beltre is four for his past 31 with runners in scoring position.

Frasor improving: Reliever Jason Frasor retired all four batters he faced with two strikeouts. Frasor hasn't allowed a run in his past six innings.

Up next: The Rangers and White Sox wrap up their three-game series Thursday night when rookie right-hander Justin Grimm (2-0, 1.59 ERA) takes on veteran right-hander Jake Peavy (3-1, 3.38 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN 103.3-FM and 1540-AM.

A.J. Pierzynski, who missed Tuesday's series opener against the White Sox because of an issue with his right oblique muscle, is out again tonight. Geovany Soto will be behind the plate catching Nick Tepesch, who is coming off a win last Thursday against the Twins. Chris Sale is on the mound for the White Sox. Here are the lineups:

RANGERS

Ian Kinsler 2B
Elvis Andrus SS
Lance Berkman DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Nelson Cruz RF
Jeff Baker LF
Mitch Moreland 1B
Geovany Soto C
Craig Gentry CF

WHITE SOX

Alejandro De Aza LF
Jeff Keppinger 2B
Alex Rios RF
Adam Dunn DH
Paul Konerko 1B
Conor Gillaspie 3B
Alexei Ramirez SS
Tyler Flowers C
Dewayne Wise CF

Wednesday night's Rangers-White Sox game features a pair of 24-year-old pitchers: Rangers up-and-coming rookie Nick Tepesch and White Sox standout left-hander Chris Sale. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM (1540 AM in Spanish).

Tepesch (2-1. 2.53): Tepesch, maybe the best story of the first month of the season, makes his fifth career start. ... He picked up his second win Thursday at Minnesota, taking a shutout into the seventh inning. He allowed one run in 6⅔ innings and didn't walk anyone as the Rangers held on for a 2-1 victory. Tepesch retired the first 12 batters in order. He gave up a hit to three of the last four batters he faced, including a solo home run by Josh Willingham. ... It was Tepesch's first start since being hit on the right wrist/forearm area by a line drive against Seattle, knocking him out of the game in the second inning. ... Tepesch is getting it done with ground balls. He has recorded 39 ground-ball outs against 15 fly outs for a 72.2 ground ball percentage. ... He also hasn't been walking anyone and will look to build on a 19⅓ consecutive innings streak without a base on balls. ... He is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA and just six hits allowed in two home starts.

Sale (2-2, 4.09 ERA): Sale, one of the top young pitchers in baseball, makes his sixth start of the season. ... He won his last outing against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings. He had seven strikeouts and four walks. ... Sale has pitched at least seven innings in four of his five starts. ... He has a 3.20 ERA since the start of the 2012 season, the fifth-lowest mark in the American League. ... Sale is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in six games, including two starts, against the Rangers. ... He won his previous start at Texas, allowing five runs and six hits in 6⅓ innings ... He is 1-0 with a 7.04 ERA in three appearances at Rangers Ballpark. ... His fastball velocity averages 92.2 mph this season ... He also throws a slider and a changeup.

Hitters: Tepesch faces the White Sox for the first time in his career. Adrian Beltre (4-for-8) and Nelson Cruz (3-for-6, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) have had success against Sale.

Jim Bowden takes a look at this year's standout rookie class, dominated by pitchers -- including Nick Tepesch, Justin Grimm and Joe Ortiz of the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox play their only three-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington beginning Tuesday night.

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Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Yu Darvish, the Rangers' recent losses and if the notion that the team looked fatigued is warranted this early in the season. Listen

The White Sox will throw three quality starters at the Rangers -- left-handers Jose Quintana (2-0, 2.78 ERA) and Chris Sale (2-2, 4.09) and right-hander Jake Peavy (3-1, 3.38). The Rangers will counter with Yu Darvish (4-1, 1.65) on Tuesday night, followed by rookie right-handers Nick Tepesch (2-1, 2.53) and Justin Grimm (2-0, 1.59).

Here's some other things to look for:

Strong starting pitching: The White Sox's starting rotation has been the team's strength. Sox starters have a 3.03 ERA over the last 13 games with a 5-3 record during that span. Peavy is tied for sixth in the American League with 39 strikeouts. Overall, Chicago is fourth in the AL with a 3.60 team ERA. The Rangers are first with a 3.02 ERA.

Where's the offense?: The White Sox are last in the AL in batting average at .229 and 13th out of 15 teams with a .382 slugging percentage. They are last in the AL in runs (83), walks (54) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.188). The White Sox have scored two runs or less seven times this season. They've been held to five or fewer hits seven times, too.

Pair of sluggers: Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn rank fourth and fifth among active players in home runs. Konerko, who is fourth, hit his 426th home run Sunday, putting him in a tie for 45th overall behind Chicago Cubs great Billy Williams. Dunn has 411 home runs, ranking him 48th all-time, three behind Darrell Evans. Konerko and Dunn have combined for nine home runs this season.

Sox look for 2012 repeat: The White Sox had a 6-3 record against the Rangers in 2012, their first season series victory over Texas since 2004. Chicago won five straight games in July, including a three-game sweep at U.S. Cellular Field on July 3-5. The Rangers and White Sox split six games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

STOCK UP

Nick Tepesch: What can you say about rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch. All he's done so far is throw strikes. He hasn't walked anyone since three free passes in the second inning of his debut April 9 against Tampa Bay. Since then he's gone 19 innings without a walk. He's reached double-digits in ground ball outs in his three starts other than the one last Saturday when Tepesch left in the second inning after getting hit on the wrist by a line drive.

Nelson Cruz: Cruz became the third player in Rangers history with three home runs in four days that were either 3-run homers or grand slams. Cruz had two 3-run homers against the Angels on Tuesday and Wednesday and a grand slam against Seattle on Sunday. Jeff Burroughs had three 3-run home runs April 29 and May 1-2, 1976. Larry Parrish had two grand slams and a 3-run homer in July 1982.

Big innings: The Rangers were the last team to score four or more runs in an inning. They're making up for it now. The latest outburst was Wednesday's 9-run fourth inning against the Angels. The Rangers went on to win 11-3. It was the most runs the Rangers have scored in a road inning since Aug. 22, 2007 in Baltimore when they scored 30 runs and won 30-3.

STOCK DOWN

The schedule maker: The Rangers were forced to travel two time zones to Minneapolis because of a night game Wednesday night in Anaheim, arriving at their hotel at 6:30 a.m. It would have been kind of the Angels to play a day game, but the Halos protected their home gate with a night game instead. The Rangers responded by winning 2-1 Thursday night. Coaches and players have long said it's the second game after a morning arrival that impacts their energy the most.

Mitch Moreland: Mitch Moreland has seven hits in his last 23 at-bats as he rebounds from a tough start. But he's still struggling against left-handed pitching. Moreland has three hits in 27 at-bats with one RBI against lefties. A healthy Jeff Baker could take away playing time, starting Friday night against Twins left-hander Scott Diamond.

Joakim Soria: Soria's return to the big leagues after Tommy John surgery won't happen until June because of a strained pectoral muscle. The Rangers' bullpen has been stellar so far, but Soria is expected to be an important addition when he makes it back.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Nick Tepesch’s location is better than his vocabulary, but in his vocabulary’s defense, his location is pretty good.

When asked if he was able to rest upon flying into Minneapolis on Wednesday night while his Texas Rangers teammates finished off the Los Angeles Angels before arriving early Thursday morning, he, in a roundabout way, called himself … large?

“I got pretty good rest, I’m not too much of a wiry guy,” Tepesch said. “It was a good night’s sleep.”

Thursday night likely wasn’t very restful for the Minnesota Twins, who faced him earlier in the evening, as Tepesch was efficient and effective in 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits with one strikeout as the Rangers escaped with a 2-1 victory.

Tepesch didn’t walk a batter, and hasn’t since the second inning of his major league debut on April 9 against the Tampa Bay Rays -- a span of 19 1/3 innings and 78 batters faced.

“It’s my game plan to attack hitters, just go right after guys,” Tepesch said. “Walks are free passes and you don’t want to give those out.”

The 24-year-old is off to a brilliant start to his major league career, now sporting a 2.53 ERA and a 2-1 record with a 14:3 strikeout to walk ratio. On Thursday he retired the first 12 Twins hitters in order before Justin Morneau led off the fifth inning with a single. Tepesch gave up another hit in the sixth but erased the runner on a double-play. He was finally touched up in the seventh when Josh Willingham hit a home run that barely cleared the wall in the left field corner.

Tepesch was chased by back-to-back singles after recording the next out, but still wound up with just 90 pitches thrown -- 65 for strikes.

“That’s his style of pitching, he’s always been a strike thrower,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “If you can execute pitches you don’t have to be overpowering, and he can execute.”

His only mistake Thursday was the one slider to Willingham, who was looking for it. And of course the “ed” in “wired” that turned into a “y.” He probably won’t lose too much sleep over either.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Rookie Nick Tepesch gave up just one run and Elvis Andrus’ first RBI since April 13 was the difference as the Texas Rangers squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Tepesch A-OK: Tepesch appeared no worse for wear after leaving his previous start in the second inning following a line drive off his right wrist. The right-hander retired the first 12 Twins he faced on Thursday before Justin Morneau led off the fifth inning with a single. Tepesch held Minnesota scoreless through 6 1/3 innings before Josh Willingham’s solo home run ended the shutout. Morneau followed with a groundout, but Chris Parmelee and Trevor Plouffe hit back-to-back singles to chase Tepesch from the game. With the Rangers clinging to a 2-1 lead, Robbie Ross induced a groundout from pinch hitter Ryan Doumit to end the threat.

Streaking (Part 1): Texas has won six times in its past seven games, its best stretch since winning six of seven to kick off April. The Rangers are now a season-best eight games over .500.

Sweat it out: Right-hander Tanner Scheppers loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning and Texas still holding a 2-1 advantage, giving up a single, double and intentional walk. But Scheppers induced a full-count, ground-ball double play from Willingham to end the threat. Former Twin Joe Nathan worked around a two-out single in the ninth inning for his seventh save.

What might have been: A night after notching a nine-run fourth inning, the Rangers were once again poised to open the floodgates early against Twins starter Vance Worley. But Nelson Cruz’s liner off the right-field wall to drive in Adrian Beltre caromed directly to Parmelee, who fired to second base to easily cut down Cruz for the inning’s second out. David Murphy followed with a walk and Mitch Moreland hit an infield single, but Leonys Martin popped out to end the threat. Texas forced 37 pitches from Worley in the frame but managed just the one run. The Rangers once again threatened a big inning in the sixth when they loaded the bases with one out against reliever Josh Roenicke, but Moreland struck out and Martin fouled out to end the inning.

Out at second: Two innings after being thrown out at second base by Parmelee, Cruz was thrown out trying to steal second when Murphy swung and missed on a 3-2 slider. It was Cruz’s first stolen base attempt this season. After stealing 17 bases in 2010, Cruz has swiped just 17 bags since while being thrown out 10 times.

Cruz control: With a pair of singles and a walk, Cruz reached base three times on Friday for the third consecutive game. It marks the first time Cruz has accomplished the feat since reaching three times in three games from September 6-9, 2008.

Streaking (Part 2): A.J. Pierzynski’s single in the sixth inning pushed his hitting streak to six games, while Elvis Andrus extended his hitting streak to five with a fifth-inning double.

Baker nears return: Utility man Jeff Baker is expected to return to action on Friday. He has been out of the lineup since April 23 with a bruised left knee.

Up next: Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70 ERA) looks to build on his career-high nine-strikeout performance his last time out. Twins left-hander Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35 ERA) will face Texas for the first time since being ejected for throwing behind the head of Josh Hamilton last August. First pitch is 7:10 p.m. CT on TXA21, ESPN-FM 103.3 and in Spanish on 1540 AM.

The Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins open a four-game series tonight at Target Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT on ESPN 103.3 FM and in Spanish on 1540 AM ESPN Deportes. Here's a look at the pitching matchup, featuring Rangers RHP Nick Tepesch and Twins RHP Vance Worley.

Tepesch (1-1, 3.07 ERA): The rookie left last week's start in the second inning after being struck on his right wrist by a line drive. ... He tossed a normal, 45-pitch bullpen session before Monday night's game in Anaheim. ... Tepesch struck out three of the seven batters he faced before leaving the game on Saturday. ... Has recorded 29 ground balls to seven fly balls, good for a 4.14. GB/FB ratio, the highest among major-league starters with at least three starts in 2013.

Worley (0-2, 7.11 ERA): Has lost his two previous home starts this season, giving up nine runs in one inning to the New York Mets on April 12 and three runs in six innings to the Detroit Tigers on April 1. ... Pitched efficiently in his last outing, allowing only one run in seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. He also struck out a season-high seven batters.

Hitters: Tespesch has never pitched against the Twins. ... Lance Berkman (1-for-3), Geovany Soto (1-for-5) and Jeff Baker (0-for-1) are the only Texas players that have faced Worley.

Up next

Friday at Minnesota: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/TXA21

Saturday at Minnesota: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25) vs. Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1270 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

Sunday at Minnesota: RHP Alexi Ogando (2-1, 3.12) vs. RHP Kevin Correia (2-1, 2.86), 1:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Nelson Cruz broke his bat on a three-run homer to cap a nine-run fourth inning, guiding the Texas Rangers to a series victory against the Los Angeles Angels with a 11-3 win on Wednesday night.

Floodgates, opened: The Rangers chased rookie left-hander Michael Roth -- a ninth-round selection in last year's draft making his first career start -- in the fourth, sending 13 batters to the plate on the strength of five walks. Cruz delivered the dagger, lifting the first pitch he saw from David Carpenter over the wall in left-center field. Before beginning his trip around the bases, Cruz smiled toward the dugout and gestured that his bat had cracked.

A long frame: The nine runs in the fourth were the most scored by Texas in an inning since Aug. 22, 2012 against Baltimore, the most runs in a road game inning since Aug. 22, 2007, and the most plate appearances in an inning since April of last year.

Ace comes through: For the fourth time this season, Yu Darvish followed a Rangers loss with a win. The right-hander had been 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA pitching in games after a Rangers loss, and surely improved those numbers with six shutout innings Wednesday. Texas is still the only team in baseball that hasn't lost two straight games.

How Yu did it: Darvish had a pitch clocked as high as 98 mph and as low as 61 to keep Angels hitters off balance yet again. He struck out 11, reaching double-digit punchouts for the 11th time in his career and improving his career record against the Halos to 5-1, including 3-1 at Angel Stadium.

Berkman gets his second: Lance Berkman homered for the first time since April 7 and registered his first multihit game since April 9. Before the game, manager Ron Washington said this weekend's weather conditions in Minnesota would determine whether the switch-hitting Berkman, 37, gets a day off, but the designated hitter appears to be finding his groove.

Up next: Nick Tepesch (1-1, 3.07 ERA) looks to bounce back from last week's abrupt ending. Twins right-hander Vance Worley (0-2, 7.11 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound in the opener of the four-game set. First pitch is 7:10 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Southwest, ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540 AM.

Yu Darvish has been in this position before -- starting the day or night after a Texas Rangers loss.

He's flourished in that situation so far this season.

Darvish will have his fourth chance in five starts to win following a Rangers loss. So far he's 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in those situations. Texas is the only team in baseball that hasn't lost two games in a row, and Darvish is as big a reason as any.

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Jim Bowden discusses the state of the Rangers rotation, Mitch Moreland's struggles, the weaknesses of the team and if Jurickson Profar should have been shipped during the offseason. Listen

An ace's biggest task is being a club's stopper and keeping his team from going on long losing streaks. With Matt Harrison's average of 17 wins the last two seasons out of the rotation and two rookies in -- as effectively as Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch have pitched, they've made a combined seven career starts -- the onus is on Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando. The Rangers are trying to maintain their early-season trend of winning series (they're 4-0 with two splits heading into Wednesday's rubber game against the Angels).

Darvish should be in prime position to beat the Angels on Wednesday night. He has pitched well in Anaheim, where he is 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA and .171 batting average against in three starts.

Also, Angels starter Tommy Hanson, who was scheduled for Wednesday, is on the club's bereavement list. So left-hander Michael Roth, who was pitching in college at South Carolina this time last year, will make the start for the Angels.

Darvish versus Roth is a huge mismatch.

The Angels have burned through their bullpen the last five games, using relievers for 19 innings. Closer Ernesto Frieri has appeared in three straight games, so he won't be available Wednesday.

It's a big advantage for Darvish, who gets another shot at doing what he's done best this year -- winning after a Rangers loss.

Rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch (wrist) felt good following Monday's normal-length, 45-pitch bullpen session and is on schedule to make his Thursday start in Minnesota. "I felt strong, felt comfortable," said Tepesch, who left Saturday's start against the Seattle Mariners after being struck by a liner off the bat of Jesus Montero.

Left-hander Charlie Leesman, whom the Rangers claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Friday, officially declined an assignment and became a free agent.

Jeff Baker was in the starting lineup Tuesday in place of left fielder David Murphy, who was 1-for-19 career against Los Angeles Angels left-hander Jason Vargas. "I couldn't deny the numbers," manager Ron Washington said.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels received two bits of good news, and another not so good, before the series opener Monday against the Los Angeles Angels.

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Manager Ron Washington joins Ian Fitzsimmons to discuss the Rangers' comeback win over the Angels, A.J. Pierzynski's value to the team and much more. Listen

Daniels had positive updates on pitchers Colby Lewis (forearm) and Martin Perez (wrist) –- who are expected to throw live batting practice this week -- but also found out the extent of Joakim Soria's latest setback.

Perez is scheduled to throw Tuesday and, if all goes well, would pitch some extended training this weekend.

"Based on how he feels there, he can go on a rehab assignment after that," Daniels said.

Lewis, meanwhile, is scheduled to participate in two sessions this week.

"If all goes well, [Colby] would be in a game next week," Daniels said. "Everyone would welcome having Colby back. We're not going to delay it, either."

A precautionary MRI exam on Soria revealed a Grade 1 strain of the right pectoral muscle. Soria, who is recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, won't be able to throw for two or three weeks.

"Realistically, it's going to push back his ETA to the big leagues by approximately a month," Daniels said. "We were hoping late May, but now we're looking closer to July 1.

“If there's a silver lining, not that we're looking for one here, it's another month for the arm."

Other Rangers notes

--Nick Tepesch has a visible scrape on his right wrist, but he expects to make his scheduled start Thursday in Minnesota. The right-hander felt as if he could continue pitching Saturday after being struck by a liner off the bat of Seattle's Jesus Montero, but he was pulled for precautionary reasons. "It's not too bad," said Tepesch, who threw his scheduled bullpen duty Monday. "It's not even bruised. It could have been a lot worse."

--Daniels said he expected to find out Tuesday about a makeup date for the April 17 game against the Chicago Cubs that was postponed due to rain. May 6 and May 9 are possibilities, with the Rangers scheduled to play a two-game series in Milwaukee beginning on May 7.