April 9 (Game 13): Tight Game, but Losing Streak Hits 4

Rays (7-4) @ White Sox (5-7)

Chris Archer v Miguel Gonzalez

Miguel Gonzalez and his barely connected left-side facial hair are unable to contain the Tampa Bay offense.

Stream it!: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/04/09

It was a close game on a cold Chicago April day, but the Sox were never able to take a lead in a 5-4 defeat against a very good Rays team. Gonzalez struggled (4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K), but Nicky Delmonico's 2-run fifth inning home run kept the score close. Aside from Aaron Bummer, who was hit hard and allowed a couple steals, it was an encouraging bullpen performance to keep the game in reach. Still, Alex Colome was able to finish off the Sox in the 9th despite putting the first two baserunners on.

For the Rays, Mallex Smith was excellent, even though he was thrown out twice at home: 4-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1R, 1 RBI, 2-3 on SB, including an attempted steal of home.

Final Score: Rays 5, White Sox 4
Other game option: Rays 10, White Sox 5

Highlights: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-white-sox/2018/04/09/529558#,game_tab=videos

Game Notes:

• What the Rays are able to do year-to-year with completely different personnel is astounding. This lineup from 2018 has one player in common with the 2019 lineup we saw yesterday: Daniel Robertson.
• Welcome to the team: Migeul Gonzalez, Omar Narvaez, Tyler Saladino
• New two-team players: Mallex Smith, Omar Narvaez, Alex Colome
• White Sox didn't strike out a TB batter until 1 out in the 6th.
• WhiteSox MVP: Delmonico. 2-4, and that home run was big for the Sox.
• LVP: Tim Anderson. 1-5, 3 Ks, 2 with men on base and 2 outs.

Updated Standings:

AL East	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Tampa Bay	8	4	0.667				44	33	11
New York Yankees	6	4	0.600		1		56	31	25
Baltimore	5	7	0.417		3		49	68	-19
Toronto	4	8	0.333		4		36	41	-5
Boston	3	7	0.300		4		47	67	-20
AL Central	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Detroit	6	3	0.667				25	18	7
Cleveland	7	5	0.583		1.5		37	33	4
Minnesota	5	6	0.455		2		43	38	5
Chicago White Sox	5	8	0.385		3		68	77	-9
Kansas City	3	7	0.300		3.5		50	65	-15
AL West	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Houston	10	3	0.769				46	29	17
Seattle	8	3	0.727		1		79	63	16
Oakland	7	5	0.583		2.5		49	47	2
Los Angeles Angels	6	6	0.500		3.5		42	39	3
Texas	3	9	0.250		6.5		39	66	-27
NL East	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
New York Mets	8	2	0.800				63	46	17
Philadelphia	7	4	0.636		1.5		62	51	11
Atlanta	7	6	0.538		2.5		59	56	3
Washington	5	5	0.500		3		54	53	1
Miami	3	8	0.273		5.5		36	51	-15
NL Central	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Milwaukee	9	4	0.692				57	63	-6
Pittsburgh	5	5	0.500		2.5		40	47	-7
St. Louis	6	7	0.462		3		58	56	2
Chicago Cubs	4	7	0.364		4		76	67	9
Cincinnati	2	7	0.222		5		24	34	-10
NL West	W	L	%		GB		RS	RA	+/-
Los Angeles Dodgers	7	5	0.583				84	54	30
Arizona	7	5	0.583				69	68	1
San Diego	7	6	0.538		0.5		46	51	-5
San Francisco	5	7	0.417		2		36	35	1
Colorado	4	9	0.308		3.5		51	78	-27