April 8 (Game 12): Offense Disappears, Sox Drop 3rd in a Row

Rays (6-4) @ White Sox (5-6)

Blake Snell v Carlos Rodon (1-1, 1.59)

Blake Snell brought it, striking out 11 in 6 innings.

Stream it!: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/04/08

This was another rough game. The Rays showed very clearly why they are a top team year in and year out, despite their low payroll. A cheap, young starting pitcher (Snell) dominated for 6 innings. They pulled runs seemingly out of thin air - in the 2nd, they scored 2 runs from two ground-ball singles and excellent baserunning. In a rarity in contemporary baseball, the Rays scored 5 runs without hitting a single homer. On the other side, Snell struck out 5 of the first 6 Sox hitters and never looked back.

Carlos Rodon struggled from the start, as the Rays managed 2 runs from 2 hits and 3 walks in the 1st inning.

Final Score: Rays 5, White Sox 1
Other game option: Tigers 1, White Sox 0

Highlights: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-white-sox/2019/04/08/567266#,game_tab=videos

Game Notes:

• Rays reliever Hunter Wood has epic hair. Reminiscent of the lead guitarist of a 70s metal band.
• Jose Rondon hit 1st homer of the year.
• WhiteSox MVP: Leury Garcia. 3-4, 1 2B on an otherwise dismal offensive day.
• LVP: Abreu. 0-4, 1K. The amazing play was bound to end sometime.

Updated Standings:

AL East	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Tampa Bay	7	4	0.636				39	29	10
New York Yankees	6	4	0.600		0.5		56	31	25
Baltimore	5	6	0.455		2		48	61	-13
Boston	3	7	0.300		3.5		47	67	-20
Toronto	3	8	0.273		4		29	40	-11
AL Central	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Detroit	6	2	0.750				25	16	9
Cleveland	6	5	0.545		1.5		35	33	2
Minnesota	5	5	0.500		2		43	36	7
Chicago White Sox	5	7	0.417		3		64	72	-8
Kansas City	2	7	0.222		4.5		40	65	-25
AL West	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Seattle	8	2	0.800				79	53	26
Houston	9	3	0.750				44	29	15
Oakland	7	5	0.583		2		49	47	2
Los Angeles Angels	5	6	0.455		3.5		34	36	-2
Texas	3	8	0.273		5.5		36	58	-22
NL East	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
New York Mets	7	2	0.778				59	44	15
Philadelphia	6	4	0.600		1.5		56	46	10
Atlanta	7	5	0.583		1.5		59	54	5
Washington	4	5	0.444		3		52	53	-1
Miami	3	7	0.300		4.5		34	47	-13
NL Central	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Milwaukee	8	4	0.667				52	59	-7
Pittsburgh	5	5	0.500		2		40	47	-7
St. Louis	6	6	0.500		2		54	51	3
Chicago Cubs	4	7	0.364		3.5		76	67	9
Cincinnati	2	6	0.250		4		19	28	-9
NL West	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Los Angeles Dodgers	7	5	0.583				84	54	30
Arizona	6	5	0.545		0.5		67	67	0
San Diego	6	6	0.500		1		39	45	-6
San Francisco	5	6	0.455		1.5		35	33	2
Colorado	4	8	0.333		3		45	71	-26