Rays: 2, White Sox: 3 - Giolitoooh no

With a sweep of the Angels firmly in their rearview mirrors, the Rays look to continue their climb over .500 against RHP Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox.

Ryne “best opener in baseball” Stanek starts the 1st for the Rays with the plan of Yonny Chirinos to “start”

Rays would be celebrating the magical 2008 season tonight, talking with former players (including Big Game James!) and Principal Owner Stu Sternberg about the season and the World Series team.

Meanwhile, Stanek would continue his hot streak and open the game with 5 straight strikeouts.

Offensively, the Rays were not able to figure out Lucas Giolito for most of the game, as he weaved through the Rays lineup only giving up 2 H and 3 BB over 7.0 IP. When the Rays did get on base, they tried to create offense with Kevin Kiermaier attempting to steal second in the 4th inning, but was called out.

After 1.2 innings of opening, Kevin Cash opted to go with LHP Adam Kolarek instead of Yonny Chirinos to face three upcoming lefties in Chicago’s lineup.

Kolarek would reward Cash’s trust with only allowing 2 H and striking out 2 over 2.0 IP and handing the ball over to Jamie Schultz. Guess were having a good old fashioned BULLPEN DAY.

Unfortunately, Schultz was the weak link in the Bullpen today. Although he was able to pitch 2.1 innings, he wasn’t able to keep the White Sox off the bases, with 3 BB and 2 ER on 1 H, coming off a Jose Abreu no-doubter.

Austin Pruitt would take over for Schultz, and keep the Rays within striking distance, going 2 IP with 0 H, 0 BB and 2 Ks.

With Lucas Giolito finally coming out of the game after a lead-off double by Daniel Robertson, the Rays could finally put some offense together. Joey Wendle would single home Robertson to make it 2-1 White Sox.

But wait! It gets better! A straight steal of 2B by Wendle put him in scoring position.

BUT WAIT THERES MORE! A wild pitch by Juan Minaya would advance Wendle to 3rd with 1 out!

AND THEN:

Squeeze bunts are awesome. I wish they would happen more often.

Rays would have another chance in the bottom of the 9th with back to back singles, but Jesus Sucre would strike out and send the game to extras.

Alvarado would take over for Sergio Romo in the 10th, and would get the first 2 batters out, but struggle getting the last one. He would allow Nicky Delmonico to double, and then after intentionally walking Tim Anderson, give up a hard hit double to Yoan Moncada to score the go-ahead run. 3-2 White Sox.

Rays would get a runner on in the bottom half of the 10th with a Mallex Smith working a walk, and Kiermaier up.

KK would work a 1-1 count before surprising everyone and attempting to bunt, but popped out to third baseman Yolmer Sanchez.

Rays would end this game in a bleh fashion, with Matt Duffy hitting into a 5-4-3 double play to end the game. Rays fall to 56-54, and will look to tie the series with LHP Blake Snell being re-instated from the DL to take on Carlos Rondon. Game time is at 6:10 pm