Chicago plays poorly for the first two months of the season and dig itself into a hole no one thinks it can bounce back from.
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Adam Eaton got the White Sox offense going in the first inning by doing what a leadoff hitter should do by getting on base with a walk.
Chicago’s Tyler Saladino hit a solo homer off Archer in the third.
Rene Rivera and former Bishop Luers standout Kevin Kiermaier each had three hits, and Tampa Bay improved to 5-0 against Chicago.
Mikie Mahtook hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth to put the Rays ahead.
Perhaps Sale’s brain locked up because he’s having a hard time trying to figure out why he’s been hit so hard in his last two starts (14 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings).
Despite the former Clemson star’s batting average dropping greatly in 2013 and 2014 with Port Charlotte (Single-A Advanced) and Montgomery (Double-A), his power numbers continued to soar through the roof by him bashing 11 and 19 home runs respectively. 265 with 16 home runs in 55 games at Triple-A – started yelling into the phone he was big league bound.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total runs this season, Chicago ranks 29th with 387 runs and Tampa Bay is 28th with 388. “Once we get that lead, you want to see a guy attacking the zone”.
This game started off like gangbusters, with the White Sox scoring 5 times in the first inning. Development for Rodon, a rookie, and Garcia are key, “but we are here to win games, too, ” Ventura said.
The Rays would even the score in the top of the eighth. Brandon Guyer had an RBI double off reliever Zach Duke. Evan Longoria homered two batters earlier off starter Carlos Rodon, who was pulled after working 4 2-3 innings and for being what manager Robin Ventura termed “erratic”. Casali’s throw glanced off shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera’s glove and struck the side of his head, knocking him down (and later out of the game) and allowing Eaton to advance to third.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Karns looks out to center field after giving up a two-run home run to Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, August 3, 2015, in Chicago. Garcia came up with one out and the bases loaded.
Garcia drew the winning walk off closer Brad Boxberger (5-6).
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This was a huge win for the White Sox.
