CHICAGO _ Jeff Banister went 44 games without being ejected. He couldn't make it through 45.
The Texas Rangers manager expressed his displeasure with home-plate umpire Paul Nauert's strike zone in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday in an eventual 4-2 loss to the White Sox.
It didn't take Nauert long to send Banister to the clubhouse. Banister couldn't have been happy on a questionable 3-2 pitch that was called a ball to White Sox outfielder Nicky Delmonico. That walk loaded the bases.
Replays showed that Leclerc's pitch may have caught the bottom of the strike zone, but Nauert issued a walk. Leclerc walked the next batter, Matt Davidson, to bring in the game-tying run and Banister made a pitching change.
After signaling to the bullpen, Banister made a beeline to Nauert and the two had a heated exchange.
The Rangers had a 2-0 lead when Leclerc entered the game in the eighth, and he got two quick outs. But then he gave up a double to Yoan Moncada (3-for-4, run scored) and made a throwing error on a comebacker by Yolmer Sanchez. Things continued to unravel from there with three consecutive walks, including an intentional to Jose Abreu.
The White Sox (11-29) ended up scoring four runs in the inning to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win the opener of a four-game series.
James Shield, who earned the win for the White Sox, pitched 71/3 innings and allowed three hits an earned run and three walks with eight strikeouts.
Doug Fister pitched well filling in for Cole Hamels (neck). He tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits without issuing a walk.
Leclerc took the loss for the Rangers (17-28).
