Rays lose despite comeback against Chicago

by Gary Shelton on June 17, 2021

in general

Yarbrough was roughed up by Chicago./JEFFREY S. KING

Thursday, 4 a.m.

Statistically, it isn't any better to lose close than to lose by a big margin. It just feels that way.

So give some credit to the Tampa Bay Rays for making Wednesday feel a little bit better. They came back from five runs down to tie the game before losing to the Chicago White Sox, 8-7 in 10 innings. Yippee.






Content beyond this point is for members only.

Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!

Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.






On the other hand, there are a few subtle reminders here:

-- When your starting pitcher gives up seven runs (five of them earned) in 6 1/3 innings, it isn't good.

-- When you don't score the "gimme" runner in extra innings, it's trouble.

-- When your team gets only one hit the first four innings of the game and falls behind by scores of 4-0 and 5-2, it's an uphill battle.

And so the Rays lost their second straight game to the White Sox Sunday. That's no shame, because the Sox now have baseball's best record (they took the designation away from Tampa Bay). It's been a tough couple of day for the Rays, who lost starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on Tuesday.

“With what’s gone on the last couple of days and the frustrations,  the guys stayed at it," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "We had a bunch of really big at bats. Manny’s was probably the biggest to tie it. I was encouraged and overall impressed with the way the guys would get back in the game and ultimately tie it."

The White Sox won when Yasmani Grandal singled deep to right field with one out in the bottom of the 10th, driving in their extra-inning runner (Andrew Vaughn) with the winning run.

It was Yarbrough, however, who stuck around longer than anyone would figure. He gave up four runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth.

The Rays came back. Kevin Kiermaier had a two-run double, and Yandy Diaz and Mike Zunino both homered. The biggest hit, though, came on a nine-pitch at-bat by Manuel Margot, who drove in Brett Phillips from first base.

The Rays continue to lead the AL East.

Tampa Bay now moves to Seattle for a four-game series. Rich Hill will start the first game against Justin Dunn at 10:10 p.m. tonight.


Previous post:

Next post: