On the night the Rays celebrated their 2008 World Series team, their offense remained silent against Chicago.
It was a fantastic opening ceremony before the first pitch tonight. Ten years ago, the Rays completed a “worst to first” season with a trip to their only World Series. On Saturday, 20 players were honored on the field to commemorate that magical year.
It was also the return of All Star lefty, Blake Snell to the hill. The White Sox countered with LHP Carlos Rondon.
Gomez the ball player…
Carlos Gomez hit a one-out, hustle double in the second inning and then wound up at third after a passed ball by White Sox catcher, Omar Narvaez. After Joey Wendle stuck out, Willy Adames hit an infield, hustle single to score Gomez and give the Rays an early 1-0 lead off starter Carlos Rondon.
Chicago first baseman, Jose Abreu, would tie it up on a 2-0 pitch to lead off the fourth with a solo shot to straight away center.
Snell, who hadn’t pitched since July 12th in Minnesota, was on a short leash tonight. Kevin Cash said before the game he’d expect around a 60-pitch limit for his all star lefty. After throwing 59 pitches in four innings, Snell’s night was over. RHP Yonny Chirinos would take over in the fifth.
…Gomez the actor.
Gomez entertained the masses in the sixth inning like only he can. After getting hit by a pitch in the hip, he took a step towards first and proceeded to collapse to the ground, then get up smiling and laughing before taking his base. He then swiped second and popped off the bag with helmet in hand ever so gallantly.
It would be his MLB-leading 17th time hit by a pitch in 2018, by the way.
On a much less entertaining note, the Rays would leave two men in scoring position with the score tied 1-1.
Yonny takes the loss
Chirinos was throwing no-hit ball into the ninth inning before Tim Anderson‘s lead off double. It was in relief of Snell’s four inning of work but impressive nonetheless. Leury Garcia would bunt it towards third and Duffy would throw it away, scoring Anderson from second to give the White Sox a late 2-1 lead.
Despite getting Joey Wendle to second in the ninth, the Rays dropped their second in a row to the White Sox.
“We’re in one of those offensive ruts right now,” Cash said after the game. “We got guys probably trying to do too much, just can’t piece anything together.”
NEXT UP:
The Rays will send an opener to the mound Sunday in the finale against Chicago. Cash said it will likely be RHP Hunter Wood.
