Rays power past White Sox for 3-1 win
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nick Franklin hit his first home run with Tampa Bay and Chris Archer pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, leading the Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night.
Franklin connected against Hector Noesi in the second inning, belting a drive to right after a leadoff double by James Loney. Franklin had to wait 79 seconds for a replay review to determine if it was fair after it hit off a catwalk at Tropicana Field.
Franklin was acquired from Seattle in the three-team trade that sent David Price to Detroit on July 31. He was playing in his fourth game for the Rays, having been recalled from Durham on Monday.
It was Franklin's first homer since Aug. 29, 2013, with Seattle.
Archer (10-8) allowed two hits and walked four in 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA in his last three starts.
Marcus Semien's pinch-hit single off Jake McGee in the ninth, Chicago's only hit after the fourth, drove in the only run for the White Sox. McGee finished the inning for his 18th save.
The Rays, who were eliminated from playoff contention Friday night, were seeking their 22nd shutout. Their current total is the most by any American League team in the 41 seasons of the DH era.
Ben Zobrist had two hits for Tampa Bay, including an RBI single in the fifth.
Noesi (8-10) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He is winless in four September starts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: 1B Paul Konerko flew out as a pinch hitter in the ninth after going 0 for 4 Friday night in his first game since breaking his left hand Sept. 2. Konerko, who is retiring after the season, probably will be in the lineup Sunday, according to manager Robin Ventura.
Rays: RHP Brad Boxberger could rejoin the team Sunday following the birth of his daughter Thursday. ... INF Sean Rodriguez (death in family) missed his second straight game.
UP NEXT
RHP Nathan Karns (1-0) is scheduled to start the Rays' home finale Sunday against White Sox LHP John Danks (9-11). Karns allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings in his first start of the season Sept. 12 at Toronto, while Danks is 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA over his last four road starts.