Shane Smith dazzled with the help of several RBIs. While there were no home runs in today’s contest, the White Sox manufactured runs, winning the series against the Rays.
Chandler Simpson started the game with a single and his 40th stolen base. The Rays struggled to take advantage of the speedster, leaving him on base. Without wasting any time, the Good Guys got things going in their half of the first. Chase Meidroth singled straight through center field, and former Ray, Curtis Mead, doubled off the wall.
With one out, Colson Montgomery stepped in with an RBI single, sending Meidroth and Mead home, putting the Sox up 2-0.
Annoyed by the multiple hits in his direction, Jake Mangum singled in the top of the second and successfully stole second. For the second time in the game, it was apparent that the Korey Lee/Colson Montgomery tandem was not working. With a bit of déjà vu in play, the runner was stranded. Unfortunately, the Sox were retired in order in the bottom of the frame.
Simpson singled again to lead off the third, but Smith kept the Rays off the board once more. Meidroth started the bottom of the third with a walk, but the theme of the game continued: the runner was left on base.
Meidroth not only did a great job with getting base today, but was just as good with taking a base hit away after a fun catch to get the first out in the fourth. Smith continued to impress with back-to-back strikeouts. Miguel Vargas worked a walk to start the bottom of the inning. With one out, he was able to swipe second on a bad throw, but all would be in vain as the Sox were unable to capitalize.
Smith retired batters in order, still coasting without any walks and 86 pitches through five innings. Now 2-for-2 with his third time on base, Meidroth singled again in the bottom of the fifth. Alas, with one out already, Mead hit into a double play.
By the sixth inning, Simpson went 3-for-3 with a single over the head of Montgomery, prompting the Sox bullpen to stir. As if he knew what I had typed moments ago, Smith surrendered his first walk of the game, putting two runners on base. Junior Caminero grounded into a double play to Meidroth. Simpson moved over to third during the play, and Smith, who had a terrific game, mostly escaped a jam before coming off the mound. Tyler Gilbert stepped in and got Christoper Morel to strike out swinging. In the home half, Edgar Quero collected his first hit of the game with a line drive to right field. With one out and a new Rays pitcher, Vargas ended up on base via a hit-by-pitch. With a little luck, Michael A. Taylor singled on a fly ball that was missed by two Rays players, sending Quero home.
Before Brooks Baldwin collected a walk to load the bases, Taylor also stole second. Kyle Teel stepped into the game to pinch-hit in a pivotal moment and promptly plated two with a huge smile on his face. With the hit, he extended his on-base streak to 20, tying Bo Bichette. Meidroth picked up his second walk, once again loading the bases for the second time in the frame, but Mead came up empty to end the inning. The Good Guys extended their lead to 5-0.
Brandon Eisert gave up only one hit in the top of the seventh, and the Sox were retired in order for the bottom half. Tyler Alexander stepped in for the eighth and gave up back-to-back singles with one out. Caminero grounded out, but Simpson was able to score, changing the score to 5-1. Morel picked up a walk, but Alexander escaped any further damage with a well-placed strikeout. The Sox were retired in order. Without any unnecessary drama, Jordan Leasure closed the game with three quick outs, taking the series from the Rays.
