Andrus' errors costly in close game

CHICAGO -- Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said it should have been an inning-ending double play.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

"Oh for sure, no doubt," Andrus said.

It was the biggest play of the day in the Rangers' 3-2 loss to the White Sox on Saturday afternoon. The White Sox, with one run home against Rangers starter Nick Martinez, had the bases loaded with one out in the third inning when Alexei Ramirez hit a high two-hop grounder up the middle.

Andrus was well-positioned and didn't have to go far to get the ball. The last bounce was waist high, so he didn't have to bend over. Maybe it was too easy, but the ball slipped through Andrus' glove and into center field.

"I just took my eye off it," Andrus said. "It was an easy ground-ball double play. That's what happens when you take your eye off the ball. If I get that same ground ball one thousand times, I make the play every time."

Two runs scored on the play to give the White Sox a 3-0 lead. It was the first of two errors by Andrus on a day when the Rangers lost by one.

"I feel bad because Nick pitched a great game," Andrus said.

"We have played some really good defense lately," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It's not the game Elvis would like to have had, but nobody feels worse than him. I'm not going to get too reactionary over it."

Martinez ended up taking the loss despite giving the Rangers their 15th quality start in the past 16 games. The Rangers' rotation has a 1.78 ERA in that stretch.

Video: TEX@CWS: Martinez allows two earned over six frames

Martinez walked three and tied a club record by hitting three. He also allowed six hits, but the White Sox were 1-for-8 off him with runners in scoring position.

"I battled my tail off," Martinez said. "It could have gone really bad on my part, but I didn't give in. That's A-plus. I made some pitches."