Blake Snell scattered six hits in six innings of work, and Tampa Bay used two-run first and second innings to take the opener at Guaranteed Rate Field Monday, defeating the Chicago White Sox 5-1.
Tampa Bay forced White Sox starter Carlos Rodon to throw 39 pitches in the first inning, as the left-hander loaded the bases on singles by Yandy Diaz and Daniel Robertson bookending a walk to Tommy Pham. Avisail Garcia struck out for the first out, but Guillermo Heredia drove in a run with a walk, and Ji-Man Choi's sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
Robertson made it 3-0 an inning later with a bunt single that scored Willy Adames, who doubled to lead off the inning and took third on a wild pitch that led to another walk to Pham. Both runners moved up stealing the next base, and Garcia drove in Pham with a single to left field.
Snell (2-1) retired the first six batters in order, and the only run he allowed came on a solo homer by Jose Rondon in the fifth.
Chicago got the tying run to the plate in the sixth with nobody out and runners at second and third base, but Snell struck out Jose Abreu, Wellington Castillo and Yoan Moncada to finish off his afternoon with 11 strikeouts.
Hunter Wood allowed three hits, but finished out the game for the old-fashioned three-inning save.
Tampa Bay will look for a fourth straight series victory with a win in Tuesday's middle game of the series.
TUESDAY'S MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Rays (8-3) at Chicago White Sox (3-6), 2:10 pm first pitch, coverage on WDAE begins at 1:00 with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars.
Rays starter: RHP Charlie Morton (1-0, 1.64 ERA)
White Sox starter: TBD
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wednesday: Rays at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 pm first pitch
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 pm first pitch
Saturday: Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 4:07 pm first pitch
Sunday: Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 pm first pitch