White Sox’ Todd Frazier Leaves Game With Lip Injury In 6-5 Loss To Rangers

Fans scattered and food fell to the floor as Todd Frazier dived face-first into the stands down the third-base line at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to catch a foul ball.

White Sox’ Todd Frazier Leaves Game With Lip Injury

The Chicago White Sox third baseman emerged from the seats with his glove masking the bleeding hole in his lower lip as he rushed to the dugout to get a towel for a cut that ended up requiring five stitches.

The injury forced Frazier out of the game, which the Texas Rangers won 6-5, in the bottom of the fourth, just a half-inning after he earned his 10th RBI of the three-game series against the Rangers with a home run. The Rangers have now won the series 2-1.

Starting Chicago pitcher Mat Latos said Frazier’s sudden departure “freaked me out” on the mound, and Hawk Harrelson left the broadcast booth immediately to check on Frazier in the clubhouse.

“He is that kind of guy for our team, and when you lose him, focus-wise it got lost there for a minute for Matty,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “You never want to lose a guy like that in our lineup.”

Frazier stated the injury occurred when he hit his head on an armrest, and was seen with black stitches sticking out of his bleeding mouth after the game. He said he believes he will be able to play on Friday, when the Sox open a three-game series against the Yankees in New York.

“It was an unfortunate play that turned the tables for us,” said Frazier, who added he did make the catch of the foul ball. “I wish I could have been out there for the last two at-bats because I’ve seen (reliever Sam) Dyson before and have hit him really well. I’m not saying I would have hit a home run, but I would have liked my chances.”

After four strong starts, Latos gave up five earned runs on Wednesday on seven hits and five walks — one intentional — in a no decision. He issued two walks in the fifth, and Prince Fielder’s two-run double to left field tied it at 5-5.

Left-hander Dan Jennings also allowed the winning run in the sixth on Adrian Beltre’s RBI single to center field. Latos left with a runner on third and one out in the sixth. Jennings then allowed three straight singles as the Rangers gained the lead.

“We can’t make excuses for how this game went,” Latos said. “I did not pitch well at all. At the end of the day, it was on me. … I have to work on getting my off-speed (pitches) consistent. A lot of high sliders today. I wasn’t finishing.”

Frazier and Brett Lawrie each hit fourth-inning homers off left-hander Cole Hamels. But the Sox’s clutch hits dried up after Tyler Saladino’s two-out RBI single in the sixth, and they finished 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The White Sox (23-12) are first in the AL Central.

PHOTO: ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 09: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox tosses his bat after hitting a grand slam home run in against the Texas Rangers in the top of the twelfth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 9, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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