The Chicago White Sox (24-27) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (31-22) 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
The Rays built a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a fielding error from White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu to get the first run in. Ji-Man Choi added a RBI single for the second run of the game.
That would be all the scoring in this game until the eighth inning. Danny Mendick hit a RBI single to make it 2-1, before Jake Burger blasted a two-run homer to center field to lift the White Sox to a 3-2 advantage, which would prove to be enough.
Drew Rasmussen was brilliant getting the start in this game, pitching seven shutout innings in which he allowed just three hits while striking out two and walking one. The bullpen was unable to close it out - Brooks Raley got only one out in the eighth, before Jalen Beeks came in and gave up the two-run blast to Jake Burger that was the difference.
The Rays and White Sox now meet in the rubber game of the three game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Tropicana Field at 1:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES