CHICAGO (AP) _ Chad Curtis hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning Tuesday night as the Texas Rangers pushed across an unearned run and beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1.

Pinch-hitter Rusty Greer reached to start the ninth when Chicago shortstop Jose Valentin threw low to first for his 31st error of the season.

After a fielder's choice and fly out, Luis Alicea fouled off four pitches from Bobby Howry (2-4) before singling and then Curtis hit a 3-2 pitch to left to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

Jonathan Johnson (1-0) pitched two shutout innings for his first major league win and John Wetteland got three outs for his 30th save.

Chicago's second straight loss to the Rangers dropped the White Sox's lead over Cleveland to 6 1/2 games after the Indians beat Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. It is the White Sox's smallest lead in the AL Central since June 21.

The White Sox got a run off Darren Oliver in the fourth on singles by Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee and a double-pay grounder by Herbert Perry.

The Rangers had five hits in the fifth but managed just one run as Mike Sirotka struck out Rafael Palmeiro on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded.

Ricky Ledee singled to start the inning and scored on a double by Scott Sheldon, who was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.

The Rangers then loaded the bases on a bunt and two infield hits before Sirotka fanned Palmeiro.

Sirotka, bidding for his fourth straight win, went seven innings, allowing eight hits and one run.

Oliver, making his first start since coming off the disabled list and his first appearance since July 30, allowed six hits and a run in six innings. He's been bothered most of the last three months by weakness in his left shoulder.

Notes: The game drew a small crowd of just 13,899. ... Oliver has made eight rehab starts this season. ... Kip Wells, one of four White Sox called up Tuesday, will start Wednesday's game. Wells is in his third stint with the White Sox after beginning the season as the No. 2 starter. ... Rusty Greer, scratched from Monday's lineup with a stiff neck, didn't start again but pinch hit in the ninth. ... Wetteland's save gives him eight 30-save seasons and six straight.