On Monday night at Steinbrenner Field, the Chicago White Sox dealt a severe blow to Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes by overwhelming pitcher Shane Baz in an emphatic 8-3 win. The White Sox capitalized on Baz’s struggles, scoring eight earned runs in just over four innings, marking one of the toughest starts of Baz’s career and significantly impacting the series dynamics.
Shane Baz’s Difficult Night on the Mound
Shane Baz, who has shown flashes of potential throughout the season, could not find his footing against the White Sox offense. The difficulties began early when Baz allowed three runs during the second inning. After yielding two singles, he faced Brooks Baldwin, the ninth batter in the lineup, who crushed a three-run homer on the first pitch, a fastball that was too centrally located.
Baz’s performance worsened in the third inning as control completely eluded him. Chase Meidroth, the rookie shortstop, started the inning with a single, and Baz followed by issuing two consecutive walks, loading the bases. Luis Robert Jr. then drove in two runs with a single, and an RBI fielder’s choice further extended Chicago’s lead to 6-0.
“It stinks when you’re fighting for a playoff spot,” —Shane Baz, Pitcher
Tampa Bay Shows Momentary Fightback before White Sox Pull Away
The Rays rallied briefly in the fourth inning, with Taylor Walls delivering a two-run double to narrow the gap. However, Tampa Bay’s hope for a comeback was short-lived. In the fifth inning, Andrew Benintendi doubled off Baz, and Miguel Vargas followed with a home run that pushed the White Sox lead to 8-2. Baz exited the game shortly after, having allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks, lowering his season record to 8-6.
Rays’ Bullpen Provides a Stabilizing Effort
Though Baz struggled, Tampa Bay’s bullpen maintained order after the starter’s departure. Kevin Kelly, Mason Englert, and Garrett Cleavinger combined to pitch five scoreless innings, allowing only three hits total. Their steady work helped prevent the defeat from becoming even more lopsided.
Offensive Opportunities Missed by Tampa Bay
Despite drawing seven walks during the game, the Rays’ offense failed to capitalize fully, managing just five hits overall. Rays manager Kevin Cash reflected on the difficulties, commenting on the inability to convert scoring opportunities.
“We just came up short with some of those at-bats with runners on,” —Kevin Cash, Rays Manager
“Credit the White Sox pitchers; they navigated through the righties and lefties a little bit. It just didn’t align, and we didn’t get the amount of hits we needed to make a comeback.” —Kevin Cash, Rays Manager
Chicago White Sox Display Growth Amid Challenging Season
This win signals an upswing for the White Sox, who have defied their previous season’s struggles marked by 121 losses. With four consecutive road victories—the first such streak since 2022—the team improved to 36-65 overall. Showcasing emerging talent and determination, Chicago outscored opponents 35-10 during this run.
“It’s the big leagues, and anything can happen on any given night,” —Shane Baz, Pitcher
What’s Next: Critical Matchup Ahead for Both Teams
The series continues Tuesday night, with Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen expected to pitch. Rasmussen, who has logged only eight innings in his last four starts, aims to extend his outing and provide stability. The White Sox will counter with Davis Martin, returning from injury after recovering from a forearm strain. Both teams face the challenge of gaining momentum as the series remains pivotal in their respective seasons.