Scherzer takes over 10th on career Ks list and Semien homers as Rangers beat White Sox 2-1

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out a season-high nine to take over 10th place on the career list, Marcus Semien homered and the Texas Rangers beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Thursday.

Scherzer pushed his career total to 3,400 after first passing former teammate and fellow three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander with his third strikeout of the game. Eloy Jiménez took a 93.3 mph fastball for a called third strike in the second inning to make Scherzer the leader among active pitchers.

“He had good command of all his pitches, a good mix, good command in and out,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Good slider, changeup and used his curveball effectively. You saw a guy that was doing a terrific job of pitching out there.”

Two days before his 40th birthday, Scherzer (2-3) threw 62 of 85 pitches for strikes in his 464th game and 216th win over 17 big league seasons. He allowed one run and walked one while pitching three-hit ball over six innings.

“When you win, it’s a little bit easier to celebrate this and have fun with the guys,” Scherzer said. “I don’t go out there before a season and put milestones as a goal. I'm more focused on the process. I’m more focused on my stuff, and these things happen as a result of it.”

The reigning World Series champion Rangers (51-52) won their fifth game in a row to match their season-best streak and completed their first four-game sweep at home since 2017, three years before they moved into Globe Life Field. They have won 12 of 16, moving within a game of .500 for the first time since June 2.

Chicago (27-78) has lost 11 games in a row and 17 of 20. The White Sox are 51 games under .500 for the first time they were 50-101 in 1948 and are on pace for 120 losses, which would match he expansion 1962 New York Mets for the most since the 19th century.

David Robertson, the third Texas reliever, worked two innings for second save in seven chances and finished the third one-run game in the series.

Semien's 15th homer led off the third against rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon (1-5) to tie the game at 1-1. The Rangers went ahead an inning later when Nathaniel Lowe had a leadoff double and scored when Leody Taveras grounded into a forceout.

Cannon scattered eight hits over six innings in his 10th big league start.

Chicago led 1-0 after Brooks Baldwin drew a leadoff walk in the third and scored on a double by No. 9 batter Korey Lee. It was the major league-high 30th time the White Sox scored first and lost. They have dropped 39 games in which they led at some point.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: RHP Dane Dunning was activated from the 15-day injured list after missing 16 games because of right shoulder soreness. RHP Gerson Garabito was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

UP NEXT

White Sox: After their 0-7 trip, the White Sox are back home for the first time since the All-Star break to open a three-game series Friday night against Seattle. They went 1-5 on their last homestand before the break.

Rangers: Left-hander Andrew Heaney (4-10, 3.60 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series in Toronto. He has received two or fewer runs of support in 11 of his last 15 starts.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

With his third strikeout, which came in the second inning Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) moves to tenth on the all-time strikeout list in a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

In the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Chicago White Sox second baseman Nicky Lopez (8) forces out Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien (2) as he throws to first for the double play the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon (48) delivers against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Chicago White Sox Brooks Baldwin (27) slaps hands with Luis Robert Jr. (88) after scoring against the Texas Rangers in the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

With his third strikeout, which came in the second inning Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) moves to tenth on the all-time strikeout list in a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer, center, gets high-fives in the dugout after pitching in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Scherzer exited the game with nine strikeouts for a career total of 3400. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Texas Rangers' Corey Seager (5) celebrates after a solo home run by Marcus Semien, right, against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government has revoked permission for Brazil to serve as custodian of Argentina's diplomatic missions in the country, alleging several anti-government opponents holed up for months in the Argentine ambassador's residence had been plotting terrorist acts from the compound.

In a statement Saturday, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it had notified Brazil of its decision, which will take effect immediately. It said it was forced to take action based on what it called evidence — which it hasn't shared — that those who sought refuge in Argentina's diplomatic mission were plotting.

Magalli Meda, the former campaign chief of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was among a half dozen government opponents who fled to the Argentina ambassador’s residence after Maduro’s chief prosecutor in March issued an order for her arrest for allegedly propagating destabilizing, political violence.

In retaliation, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Argentine President Javier Milei’s right-wing government, which tapped neighbor Brazil to represent its interests and safeguard the asylum seekers.

There was no immediate response from Argentina or Brazil.

Since Friday, armored vehicles from the SEBIN political police have been parked outside the Argentina ambassador’s residence in a leafy Caracas neighborhood. Electricity to the diplomatic mission was also cut, according to Meda, who has taken to social media to denounce what she fears is an impending raid to arrest her and the other government opponents.

Police guard Argentina's embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)