Chi. White Sox 13, Tampa Bay 6
When: 8:10 PM ET, Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Where: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
Temperature:
68°
Umpires:
Home -
Mike Estabrook, 1B -
Ben May, 2B -
Ed Hickox, 3B -
Greg Gibson
Attendance:
14798
By The Sports Xchange
CHICAGO -- Chris Sale wasn't in peak form, but he didn't have to be to earn his 17th win Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Sale (17-9, 3.21 ERA) got a lot of run support in the White Sox's 13-6 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays, helping him tie his career high for wins in a season.
Chicago's ace left-hander allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and walked none in his 31st start, which might've been his final appearance of the year and final outing with the White Sox (76-81).
"You always want to finish strong and do everything you can until the pin drops," Sale said. "I just tried to go out there today and get another win. We've been on a pretty good roll here and have a good taste in our mouths going into the offseason."
Sale, who is lined up to start Chicago's last game Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, might be skipped. The ace left-hander also has been the subject of trade rumors since the All-Star break and might be dealt in the offseason if the White Sox decide the price is right.
He left the decision about the final game this season up to the White Sox coaching staff and front office, and will do the same regarding offseason trade speculation.
"That stuff is going to work itself out," Sale said. "I don't read too much into that stuff. So, whether I'm here, there or anywhere -- a little Dr. Seuss for you -- I'll be there. This is baseball. This is sports. You can’t always choose and pick what you want to do or where you want to be."
Chicago's offense gave Sale plenty of room to breathe against the Rays (65-92), who have lost five straight games. Sale worked with a lead from the second through the seventh innings, as the White Sox scored eight runs in the first three.
Eight players recorded at least one hit for Chicago, led by Tim Anderson (3-for-5, home run, double, three RBI), Melky Cabrera (2-for-5, home run, two RBI) and Leury Garcia (2-for-4, home run, three RBI).
Todd Frazier went 2-for-5 with an RBI to extend his season-high hitting streak to 11 games, and Adam Eaton went 2-for-5 in his return to the lineup after missing three games.
Right-hander Alex Cobb (1-2) started and took the loss for Tampa Bay. Cobb, who spent most of the season rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, allowed eight runs on eight hits in three innings.
"To me, this is all part of the lumps and the growing pains of coming back," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I don't think it's fair to him or us to over-analyze too much of the results. We know the type of pitcher Alex is, and is going to be, when he gets back to form. It's been a long road back, but him being healthy is what we're most concerned about."
Curt Casali went 2-for-4 with his eighth home run to lead the Rays, while former White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Cobb struggled from the outset, allowing three runs in the first, two more in the second and three more in the third to complete his outing. The White Sox added two unearned runs in the fifth off right-hander Chase Whitley, who's also coming back from Tommy John surgery.
A throwing error with the bases loaded allowed the runs to score.
"The bases-loaded situation, you could make an argument that he gets out of that with no runs at all," Cash said. "So, I like the way he's going about his business and continuing his rehab process and getting back into form."
NOTES: White Sox CF Adam Eaton returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing the previous three games because of soreness stemming from a collision with the outfield wall last weekend in Cleveland. Eaton hit in his usual spot atop the lineup. ... Chicago also played without INF Tyler Saladino, who has missed five games with tightness in his back. ... Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier (bruised left wrist) missed his second straight game after being hit with a pitch Sunday by Boston Red Sox LHP Eduardo Rodriguez. ... Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb made his first career start at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday. It was the only remaining American League stadium in which Cobb hadn't made an appearance. It was also his last start this season.
Top Game Performances
Starting Pitchers
| Tampa Bay |
|
Chi. White Sox |
|
Alex Cobb
|
Player |
Chris Sale
|
|
Loss |
W/L |
Win |
|
3.0 |
IP |
7.0 |
|
2 |
Strikeouts |
7 |
|
8 |
Hits |
8 |
|
24.00 |
ERA |
3.86 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Hits |
HR |
TB |
Avg |
LOB |
K |
RBI |
BB |
SB |
Errors |
| Tampa Bay
|
11 |
1 |
19 |
.282 |
16 |
8 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Chi. White Sox
|
14 |
3 |
29 |
.359 |
14 |
9 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
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