ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Felipe Paulino gave up six hits and a walk, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches in the first seven-run inning in the majors this season.
There was barely any sign of help for the Chicago White Sox right-hander during his third-inning ordeal.
Paulino allowed 13 hits and 10 runs in 3 2-3 innings, Martin Perez threw a three-hitter for his first career shutout and the Texas Rangers routed the White Sox 12-0 on Friday night.
Chicago manager Robin Ventura didn’t get reliever Zach Putnam up until moments before Paulino finally ended the third inning because the bullpen was just two days removed from a 6-4 loss in 14 innings to Boston. White Sox infielder Leury Garcia had to pitch the last inning against the Red Sox and took the loss.
“At that point, after two nights ago, somebody’s got to buck up and wear it,” Ventura said. “If you get in a mess like that, you’re the guy that has to stay in and take it.”
Leonys Martin homered and matched his career high with four RBIs. He was one of four Texas batters to finish with three hits. Robinson Chirinos also went deep.
Martin’s triple into the right-field corner brought in two against Paulino in the third, and Chirinos sent the next pitch just over the 14-foot wall in left field for a 6-0 lead. Rios had a two-run single, and Prince Fielder brought him home with a double.
Putnam replaced Paulino (0-2) in the fourth after a two-out homer by Martin made it 10-0 and Chirinos had his third hit, a single to right.
“I try to understand what’s going on,” said Paulino, attempting to come back from elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 2012. “After last year not pitching, whatever happens, I’m healthy. I know at some point things will be on my side.”
Chicago’s Alexei Ramirez extended a franchise record by getting a hit in his 17th straight game to start the season. His soft single to right in the fifth extended his streak to 21 games going back to last year.
Perez had to wait an extra second for his gem to be complete.
When the first base umpire’s arm went up signaling a strikeout on Dayan Viciedo’s check-swing with a full count, Perez pumped his fist and waited for a hug from Chirinos, his catcher and fellow Venezuelan.
“I just say, ’Give me the strike,’ because I don’t want the walk and then maybe they take me out,” Perez said of his 109th pitch. “So give me that strike.”
Perez (3-0) retired the last 12 batters in his second complete game and struck out eight, including rookie Jose Abreu three times. Perez retired seven straight after Adam Eaton opened the game with a single and never allowed more than one baserunner in an inning.
Perez has thrown 17 straight scoreless innings after he went eight in a 1-0 win over Houston. His other complete game came against the Astros, a 6-1 win last Aug. 11.
“He did a good job getting ahead,” Chicago’s Tyler Flowers said. “He was pounding the zone, and he would challenge us on the first or second pitch.”
Chirinos and Jim Adduci set career highs with three hits apiece. Alex Rios also had three hits and scored each time he reached base.
Fielder, who started the game at .164, reached base all five times he batted, including a run-scoring double. He also singled, walked twice - including his AL-leading seventh intentional pass, a club record for one month - and was hit by a pitch.
The Rangers had 18 hits, four better than the previous season high of 14 on opening day.
Kevin Kouzmanoff extended the hitting streak at the start of his Texas career to nine games with a pair of run-scoring singles.
NOTES: Paulino has allowed 35 hits and 23 earned runs in 18 1-3 innings over four starts. … Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (strained quadriceps) is likely play next Friday at Seattle, the first game after he’s eligible to come off the disabled list.
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