The Tampa Bay Rays (5-5) defeated the Chicago White Sox (6-3) 9-3 on Sunday afternoon to avoid being swept in the Windy City.
The Rays took an early lead thanks to some key White Sox mistakes. They got four runs in the first inning, thanks in part to two bases loaded walks. Then in the bottom of the first inning the Rays set a defensive tone early, when outfielder Josh Lowe made a homer-saving catch over the yellow line in left field off leadoff batter Tim Anderson.
Chicago got runs back in the fourth and fifth before the Rays exploded for another four-run eighth inning. Francisco Mejia, Wander Franco and Randy Arozerena all had RBI hits in the eighth, before Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI single in the ninth, to make the final score 9-2.
Wander Franco continued his tremendous start to 2022, going 2-for-5 with a RBI and one run scored. He is now hitting 16-for-42 (.381) early in the season. After a tough day on the bases on Saturday, Kevin Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Rays.
J.P. Feyereisen started the game as the opener pitching two innings without giving up a hit. He struck out three and walked none before giving way to Chris Mazza (1-0, 11.81) who picked up the win. Tommy Romero worked the final two innings of the game, allowing one earned run on one hit - afterwards, he was optioned to AAA Durham. Javy Guerrera, who the Rays acquired in a trade from the Padres on Saturday, is expected to take Romero's roster spot when he joins the team on Monday.
The Rays now stay in Chicago for three more games, this time against the Cubs. Shane McClanahan (0-1, 3.00, 15 Ks) is the scheduled starter for Tampa Bay on Monday, and he is expected to face Kyle Hendrix (0-1, 7.00, 11 Ks) for the Cubs. First pitch Monday night is scheduled for 7:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of the Rays.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES