Lewis remains a perfect matchup for White Sox

ARLINGTON -- Colby Lewis had a terrible start the last time he took the mound. During Tuesday night's 15-2 thumping of the White Sox, he was dealing, while his own offense was administering the beating.

Lewis allowed two runs in seven innings and earned his fifth win. Lewis is now 5-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 11 starts.

Lewis lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his previous start against the Indians while allowing 10 runs. That was last Wednesday in Cleveland, and Lewis looked much sharper with an extra day of rest.

"What he did tonight is pretty impressive," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

Video: CWS@TEX: DeShields lays out for a terrific catch

"Nothing really different," Lewis said. "I felt like the last time I wasn't able to get the ball inside against the Indians, which led to balls left over the plate. My slider was the same. I got a little more run support, which allowed me to put them on the defensive and go out and throw strikes."

Lewis received tremendous run support, but he also set the White Sox down in order in the top of the first on seven pitches. His reward was a four-run bottom half of the inning by his teammates.

Adam Eaton delivered the only runs off Lewis with a two-run home run in the top of the third. But Joey Gallo answered that with a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning.

Video: CWS@TEX: Andrus makes a stellar jump-throw for out

Lewis took it from there. He allowed six hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. In his three previous outings, Lewis had a combined 11.93 ERA while opponents were hitting .388 off him.

The defense helped. Shortstop Elvis Andrus made a terrific play on Avisail Garcia's hard grounder in the fourth, backhanding a ball deep in the hole, jumping from the outfield grass and making a strong throw to first for the out. Left fielder Delino DeShields made a diving catch on Carlos Sanchez's liner in the fifth.

"The defense was good all night," Lewis said.

Lewis has won five consecutive starts against the White Sox, with a 1.24 ERA in that stretch. But if the Rangers rotation remains the same, Lewis won't pitch against the White Sox during the three-game series in Chicago from June 19-21.