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          Texas Rangers Report

          Rapid Reaction: White Sox 5, Rangers 3 (7)

          • Doug Padilla, ESPN Staff WriterAug 4, 2014, 11:58 PM ET
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              Doug covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN Chicago in July 2010 and covered the Chicago White Sox for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN Radio 1000 through the 2015 season.
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          CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox opened a three-game series Monday with a rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers, with the game called in the top of the seventh.

          How it happened: Tyler Flowers had a home run and a triple, but his biggest hit might have been his two-run single with two out in the sixth inning in a steady rain that put the White Sox ahead for good. The game was called a half-inning later. Hector Noesi gave up three runs on four hits over seven innings while facing the team that designated him for assignment in April. On the day he was named both American League player of the month and rookie of the month, Jose Abreu delivered a two-run single in the third inning.

          What it means: After a rough start in which he gave up three early runs, Noesi gave the White Sox the seven innings they sorely needed. The bullpen needed a night off after getting roughed up Sunday, and Noesi’s outing, combined with some timely rain, gave the group a rest. On Sunday, five White Sox relievers combined to give up 15 runs and 18 hits over the final four innings. The White Sox gave up four hits Monday after giving up 23 on Sunday.

          Outside the box: Adam Eaton had two more hits Monday to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He also has reached base in his past 21 contests. He had a streak earlier this season when he reached base in 20 consecutive games. Eaton is batting .448 (39-for-87) during the on-base streak and .490 (24-for-48) during the hitting streak.

          Off-beat: Flowers now knows what Adam Dunn can attest to from the last homestand: The top of the U.S. Cellular Field wall is not your friend. Flowers bounced a drive to right field off the top of the wall and directly into the air in the third inning before the ball returned to the field of play. He ended up with a triple. Dunn had a similar play last month; that drive not only hit the top of the wall and bounced up, but the ball also came down on the top of the wall again before falling back onto the warning track. Dunn ended up with a double.

          Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander John Danks (9-6, 4.50 ERA) to the mound Tuesday in the middle game of the three-game series. The Rangers will counter with right-hander Colby Lewis (7-8, 5.98) in the 7:10 p.m. CT start from U.S. Cellular Field.