Souza Helps Rays Beat White Sox, 5-4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Steve Souza Jr. hit a tying RBI single, stole second with the help of a replay challenge and scored the winning run on an error, lifting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Souza's two-out single off Zach Putnam (1-2) drove in David DeJesus in the eighth. Souza then swiped second and Asdrubal Cabrera was walked intentionally before Jake Elmore hit a bouncer up the middle.
Shortstop Alexei Ramirez fielded the grounder, but made a wild throw while trying to get the out at second. Souza rounded third and scored the winning run.
Tampa Bay had a 3-2 lead before pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie connected for a two-run shot against Rays reliever Brad Boxberger (4-3) in the eighth. It was Gillaspie's third of the season.
The first pinch homer of the year for Chicago came after Chris Archer walked pinch-hitter Adam Eaton. It was the first walk given up by Archer in four starts.
Jake McGee worked the ninth for his third save.
Tampa Bay grabbed a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Nick Franklin had a one-out triple to right and pinch-hitter Logan Forsythe followed with a chopper to shortstop against a drawn-in infield. Ramirez bobbled the ball briefly, and then threw to first as Franklin scored.
Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija pitched seven solid innings. He allowed three runs and six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
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