White Sox Fall to the Rays in a Brutal Loss, 9-0

Well, the Chicago White Sox fell to the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon, 9-0, in the finale of this three-game set at Tropicana Field.

It was not a good day for the White Sox offense or pitching. Not too many exciting things happened this game and from the jump, the Rays had most of the momentum early on.

Chris Archer came out strong in his return from the 60-day IL, striking out three in the top of the first inning around a walk. Reynaldo López, looking to stay hot, allowed a one-out double to Ji-Man Choi, who later went on to score after a single from Austin Meadows. The Rays’ 1-0 lead would only grow from there.

Archer and López both had scoreless second innings, and Archer was replaced quickly (hip tightness) in his return in the top of the third inning by righty Shawn Armstrong, who threw a quick 1-2-3 inning. But with the game still in reach, trouble started to brew for the South Siders as the Rays started a two-out rally. After a single by Yandy Diaz, Wander Franco doubled to drive him in and make it 2-0. Meadows would then go to hit another RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0. Armstrong allowed a fourth-inning walk to Yoán Moncada, but nothing else. López stayed in for the fourth, striking out two and securing a 1-2-3 inning.

The Rays bullpen continued to dominate, as Adam Conley replaced Armstrong after his two innings of work, followed by Chris Mazza. Both shut the Sox down.

Well there’s not many highlights, so let’s at least enjoy this Brian Goodwin defensive gem.

López saw his day come to an end after four innings, six hits, three runs, and four strikeouts. Garrett Crochet would come out to start the top of the fifth, throwing a scoreless inning.

The White Sox threatened with two on and two out in the top of the sixth, but Andrew Vaughn was unable to produce. Franco led off the sixth inning with a double, and Randy Arozarena was intentionally walked later on. After a Joey Wendle strikeout and Brett Phillips walk to load the bases, Tony La Russa pulled Crochet for ... José Ruíz.

Ruíz gave up a bases-clearing, three-run double with two outs to break the game wide open, 6-0. Ruíz remained in for the seventh inning as well, allowing Brandon Lowe to lead off the inning with a walk, and later to score on a balk. With Franco on, Meadows doubled to extend the lead to 8-0. It’s safe to say Meadows might have been the pick to click today, or he just hates the White Sox.

Ryan Burr replaced Ruiz in the bottom of the eighth, allowing a double to Phillips and a single to Francisco Mejia. Kiermaier would then drive Phillips in on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead 9-0. I promise, that was the last run of the game.

The White Sox were unable to get any runs on the board, ceding the series to Tampa. Overall this year, the two teams split the season series, 3-3, which will work against the best team in the American League.

Now at 72-53, Chicago will head north to Toronto to play the Blue Jays in a big, four-game series. Hopefully Tim Anderson will be back, and don’t forget that Yasmani Grandal is due to return sometime soon. Seeing this lineup at full strength for the first time all year will be very refreshing!

It’s Lance Lynn Day tomorrow, as he goes against righty Alek Manoah, with a 6:07 p.m. CT start at the Rogers Centre.

Enjoy the rest of this Sunday afternoon, and get ready for another full week of baseball coming your way!