Jose Caballero slapped a two-run single to highlight a four-run second inning, fueling the host Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
Caballero had two of his team’s five hits and rookie Chandler Simpson stole three bases for the Rays, who snapped a modest two-game skid and evened their three-game series against Chicago at one victory apiece.
Edwin Uceta (7-2) relieved starter Drew Rasmussen and struck out the side in the fifth inning. Uceta allowed one hit and fanned four over two scoreless innings before two relievers bridged the gap to Pete Fairbanks, who retired the side in the ninth to secure his 17th save of the season.
All was not rosy for Tampa Bay on Tuesday as the club placed All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list with tendinitis in his left ankle.
Colson Montgomery belted his first career homer to lead off the seventh inning for Chicago, which saw its season-high four-game winning streak come to a halt.
The Rays got the early jump on the White Sox after Davis Martin (2-8) walked the bases loaded in the second inning before Junior Caminero came home on a balk.
Caballero reached his bat out and punched a bloop single to center field to score both Jake Mangum and Matt Thaiss. Caballero advanced to third base on a throwing error and came around to score on Taylor Walls’ groundout to stake Tampa Bay to a quick 4-0 lead.
Chicago halved its deficit in the fourth inning after Chase Meidroth had an RBI single down the first-base line and scored on Edgar Quero’s sacrifice fly.
Montgomery deposited a 1-1 fastball from Bryan Baker just inside the right-field foul pole to trim Tampa Bay’s lead to 4-3.
Martin permitted four runs (three earned) on three hits with four walks in five innings.
The start time of the game was moved up a half hour due to anticipated severe weather later in the evening.
Rays bolt ahead with four runs in second, hold off White Sox
