White Sox Edge Rays On Garcia's Walk-Off Walk In 10th Inning
CHICAGO (AP) — Avisail Garcia hit a three-run homer in Chicago's five-run first inning and had a bases-loaded walk in the 10th to give the White Sox a 6-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Garcia drew the winning walk off closer Brad Boxberger (5-6).
In the 10th, Adam Eaton singled and stole second base and advanced to third when catcher Curt Casali's throw struck shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in the ear, knocking him to the ground. Cabrera left the game later in the inning. Boxberger then intentionally walked Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera to load the bases with one out before walking Garcia.
Chicago closer David Robertson (5-3) had four strikeouts in two hitless innings.
After falling behind 5-0 in the first, the Rays tied it in the eighth inning, scoring their fifth two-out run of the game. Brandon Guyer had an RBI double off reliever Zach Duke.
Cabrera, who had four hits, got the Rays to 5-4 in the fifth with an RBI double as Tampa Bay continued to produce with two outs. Evan Longoria homered two batters earlier off starter Carlos Rodon, who was pulled after working 4 2-3 innings.
The White Sox scored five first-inning runs before Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez recorded an out. Garcia's three-run homer came after Cabrera's RBI double and Abreu's single that drove in Eaton when Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier failed to field the ball cleanly.
After allowing Chicago's early burst, Ramirez gave up only one hit after the first inning. Ramirez worked six innings, giving up six hits, striking out two and walking two.
Rodon allowed four earned runs on six hits. He also walked two and struck out three. After falling behind early, the Rays cut the deficit to 5-2 in the third inning. Logan Forsythe's RBI double drove in Longoria, who doubled with two outs. Cabrera then singled to drove in Forsythe.
HUDDLING UP
Rays 1B Richie Shaffer had his first big league hit and home run on one swing Tuesday against the White Sox. Shaffer returned to the dugout to find his teammates huddled up, ignoring the rookie. Once he reached the huddle, Shaffer joined in a celebration, hopping up and down along with the rest of his teammates. "I didn't see (Shaffer's) reaction, but I've never seen a dugout huddle up like that," Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday. "That was pretty cool."
NOT FOR SALE
White Sox manager Robin Ventura stressed Wednesday that struggling ace Chris Sale is fine physically. Over his past two starts, Sale has allowed 14 earned runs in 10 1-3 innings.
When asked, Ventura explained why he didn't see Sale getting skipped in the rotation.
"I know in the past we've done that, but that's with his velocity. He'd start getting really, low 90s, almost 80s at some point, where most of his pitches were like that. That's not what it is," Ventura said. "I think for him, again you take your chances with a guy like that. I mean, if it's something physical, we'd definitely do that. We're always going to err on the side for him to do that, but he doesn't feel that way and we don't feel that way."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: OF Desmond Jennings (left knee bursitis) went 1-for-3 as a designated hitter for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday night and is scheduled to DH on Wednesday as he continues his rehab assignment. ... LHP Drew Smyly (torn left labrum) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab start on Thursday.
White Sox: LHP Nate Jones was activated from the 60-day disabled list Wednesday. Jones hasn't pitched in the major leagues since April 3, 2014 and has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since undergoing the procedure on July 29 of last year. RHP Daniel Webb (back strain) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Webb is 0-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 17 relief appearances.
UP NEXT Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (6-6) is 4-2 in his last six starts and will be looking for his third straight win on Friday against the New York Mets.
White Sox: LHP John Danks (6-8) is 3-6 in road starts this season, but will be going for his second straight win away from home Friday against the Kansas City Royals.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
