COVEYGETS TAGGED IN TEXAS, ALLOWS 4 HRS IN ROUT
ARLINGTON, Texas— What an awfully forgettable night for the White Sox. For starters, right- hander Dylan Covey allowed four home runs — including three in a seven- run second inning— in the Sox’ 11- 3 loss Friday to the Rangers to take the shine off what had been a promising start to the season for him.
That alone was enough to put a damper on the start to a 10- game road trip for the Sox, who fell to 28- 53 at the halfway point of the season. That puts them on pace to equal the franchise record of 106 losses ( 1970).
They also reminded observers of why they’re the worst defensive team in the American League. Second baseman Yoan Moncada made his 13th error on a routine ground ball in the second to pass shortstop TimAnderson for the team lead in that category, and left fielder Charlie Tilson dropped a routine fly ball in the sixth to allow a run to score. Rougned Odor, Robinson Chirinos and Nomar Mazara homered in the second against Covey, who threw 42 pitches in that inning. In the third, Joey Gallo homered against Covey and
Shin- Soo Choo— who extended his on- base streak to 41 games with a leadoff walk in the first— against reliever Chris Volstad.
The Sox had sent nine batters to the plate against Rangers righthander Yovani Gallardo, all of them retired, and trailed 10- 0 after three innings.
The bright spot, if you can call it that, was a perfect inning of relief from corner infielder Matt Davidson in the eighth. ‘‘ A dream come true for me,’’ said Davidson, a star pitcher in high school who touched 91 mph and needed 13 pitches to retire the Rangers on a foul pop- up, a soft comeback liner to the mound and a strikeout.
Covey’s performance was more like a nightmare.
‘‘ They were just all over everything,’’ Covey said. ‘‘ I don’t have an explanation. The ball was coming out good. I just have to put it behind me and face [ the Reds] in five days.’’
Setback for Gonzalez
After making one three- inning rehab start, right- hander Miguel Gonzalez has suffered a setback and likely will be sidelined for another extended period.
The Sox signed Gonzalez to a one- year, $ 4.75 million contract during the offseason to provide innings for a young starting rotation. He felt soreness in his right shoulder during a side session after his scoreless outing Sunday for Class AAA Charlotte and will be re- examined and re- evaluated, manager Rick Renteria said.
Sanchez still hurting
Infielder Yolmer Sanchez, who exited the Sox’ 2- 1 loss Thursday to the Twins with a bruised left quadriceps, did not play.
‘‘ It’s better, a little tight,’’ Sanchez said.
‘‘ He’s actually walking around pretty good,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘ He has some inflammation in there. We’ll see if we can get that out of there and get him more comfortable.’’
Second- round draft pick signed
Second- round draft pick Steele Walker, an outfielder from Oklahoma, agreed to contract terms with the Sox. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reported Walker’s signing bonus was $ 2 million, above the No. 46 slot value of $ 1.57 million. First- round pick Nick Madrigal, a shortstop from College World Series champion Oregon State, might be signed as soon as next week.
The Sox also have signed lefthander Konnor Pilkington, a third- round pick from Mississippi State, for a reported $ 650,000, less than his $ 726,700 slot value.