Head-to-head matchups will go a long way toward settling the wide-open American League wild-card race, and the Tampa Bay Rays and the host Chicago White Sox begin a pivotal three-game series Monday.
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Immediately, the former first round pick made his presence felt in the worldwide League as he blasted two home runs in his Triple-A debut with the Durham Bulls.
“I’ve got to be in the middle”, he said. “To have these offensive outbursts really help our team because we don’t have them very often”, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said.
Before he was drafted in the first round (No. 25 overall) by the Rays, he earned first-team All-America honors by flawless Game as a junior in 2012, when he hit.
The White Sox did not have as much to move, but I wonder if their seven-game winning streak from July 23 to 29 will be the worst thing that happened to them. Archer did his part by throwing seven dominant innings for the win, but Sale was roughed up for seven runs in just 5 1/3 innings – his second straight outing allowing seven runs and taking a loss.
Had manager Kevin Cash not already used left-handed hitters Grady Sizemore – who stroked a game-tying solo homer in the eighth inning – and James Loney earlier, it’s likely one of the two would have pinch hit for Mahtook against right-hander David Robertson (4-3).
Instead, the rookie outfielder took advantage of his chance, hitting an RBI single that sent the Rays over the Chicago White Sox 5-4 Monday night. I know he didn’t have any plays other than a couple of popups, but his at-bats, watching his at-bats, selective at-bats.
So what’s wrong with Sale, the AL strikeout leader who was 6-3 with a 1.76 ERA over 12 starts before this recent run of three losses in four starts? A second run scored on the play when catcher Tyler Flowers allowed Adam Eaton’s throw to roll between his legs and no one backed up the plate.
“Obviously that ball has to be stopped by me”.
The Chicago White Sox have lost eight of their last 10 games.
“I don’t know if it’s a national or state holiday in Texas”, Ventura said. Cash said OF Desmond Jennings (bursitis in left knee) is progressing well during his rehab stint in the minors at Triple-A Durham.
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Avisail Garcia is not blind to the fact that he is in the throes of some serious struggles, revealing Tuesday that he has a plan to turn back into the type of player that has been expected of him. Smyly is on the 15-day disabled list recovering from a torn labrum in his left shoulder…. His next start will come Tuesday against the Braves. Ramirez is coming off a no-decision against Boston.
