ARLINGTON -- Rangers left-handed ace Cole Hamels continues to be a potential trade target for contenders as the non-waiver Trade Deadline nears, but he never found his rhythm and couldn't escape the big inning on Sunday against the White Sox.
Hamels allowed a five-run fifth to Chicago in Texas' 10-5 loss at Globe Life Park. He also gave up a season-high seven earned runs and nine hits, which matched his high for the year.
Early on, Hamels did limit the damage. He gave up just one run in the first inning after allowing the first two batters to reach, and he allowed just one run in the third inning, despite giving up a leadoff double to Adam Engel and an RBI triple to Jose Abreu.
Hamels, however, ran into trouble in the fifth. With the game tied at 2, Hamels struck out Engel with one out in the inning, but the White Sox center fielder reached on a wild pitch. Tim Anderson followed with an RBI double, and the White Sox rallied to score four more runs and avoid a sweep.
"I thought [Hamels] was pretty efficient through the first four [innings]," manager Jeff Banister said. "Situation there in the fifth, strikeout on a ball in the dirt that we weren't able to get to. After that, they attacked early, looked like they got some balls out over the plate for some hits. ... Just a situation where the fifth kinda seemed to get away from him a little bit."

Hamels said he tried to pitch his way out of the jam by inducing ground balls.
"It's trying to get some double plays, trying to get some ground balls," Hamels said. "Was just really leaving some pitches out over the plate. Things were just not finding the right target, and I think that kinda becomes the tough part when you're in that type of game, especially when we were able to get those two runs and tie it up."
The Rangers overcame an early two-run deficit by scoring twice in the fourth. Rougned Odor hit an RBI single to right, and Delino DeShields walked with the bases loaded to score Odor, but that's all the Rangers could muster against right-handed starter Reynaldo Lopez.

"[Lopez] is pretty tough," Banister said. "He threw the ball very well today. Had his breaking ball in play, had the high fastball and the running fastball that really kept our guys off balance."
After entering the eighth inning down six runs, Texas rallied to score three times, but pinch-hitter Adrian Beltre struck out looking with runners on first and second to end the frame.

"We were in the game, we took some professional at-bats," Banister said. "But in a couple situations, we just didn't get the big hit."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
With the game tied at 2 in the fourth and the bases loaded, Shin-Soo Choo was called out on strikes to end the inning. Banister said that was a turning point for Texas.
"Bottom half of the fourth, we have the bases loaded, and we don't get a productive out there, a base hit there in that situation," Banister said. "Top half of the fifth, we don't make a play, and they capitalize."

SOUND SMART
Choo extended his on-base streak to 42 games by drawing a walk in the eighth inning off reliever Xavier Cedeno. Choo's streak is now the longest in the Majors this season. The last streak in the American League that was longer was 43 games by Minnesota's Joe Mauer in 2015.

HE SAID IT
"It's not a big deal. It's out of my control. I have to go and pitch, and hopefully that'll be the last time I have to answer that question," -- Hamels, on blocking out trade talk
MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
With no outs in the fourth, White Sox left fielder Leury Garcia was called safe on an infield single. The Rangers challenged the play, and the call was overturned. Hamels held Chicago scoreless in the inning.

UP NEXT
Beltre is expected back in the lineup when the Rangers open a two-game set against the Astros on Tuesday at Globe Life Park. Beltre is three hits shy of tying Dave Winfield (3,110) for 20th place on the all-time hit list. Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-1, 3.57 ERA) will make his fifth start of the season for the Rangers. Left-hander Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 4.22 ERA) will start for Houston.