Reeling White Sox fall to Tampa Bay, extending losing streak to 4
Even though they were swept in a three-game series at Toronto while being outscored by the Blue Jays 21-11, the White Sox did manage to play competitive baseball at points.
"Those losses, they get at you the most," manager Tony La Russa told reporters. "But I'd rather lose having a chance than not."
The Sox opened a three-game series against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field on Friday night, and the storyline continued.
Trailing the Rays 6-2 in the ninth inning, the White Sox made a big push, but dropped a 6-3 decision after Luis Robert struck out with the bases loaded.
During their four-game losing streak the Sox are 8-for-30 with runners in scoring position and that's the main reason they've dropped to third place in the AL Central with a 23-27 record.
Jose Abreu continued to emerge from a lengthy slump, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning while extending his hitting streak to 12 games.
Vince Velasquez, who was scheduled to start against Tampa Bay Friday, was placed on the 15-day injured list before the game with a left groin strain.
Davis Martin was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte, and the right-hander wound up pitching 5⅓ innings and giving up 4 run on 5 hits and 3 walks.
The Rays struck early with 4 runs in the first inning before Martin settled down and worked into the sixth.
Needing a starter to pitch Game 2 of a doubleheader at Kansas City in mid-May, Martin made his major-league debut and gave up 1 run over 5 innings against the Royals.
"He did so many good things," La Russa said. "He has a right to feel good and look at his big-league future sooner rather than later."
After overcoming the rough first inning against the Rays, Martin is likely to get another start or two for the White Sox before Lance Lynn comes off the injured list.
As for the Sox, they'll continue pushing to get things turned around.
"No one is packing it in here," AJ Pollock told reporters. "But we're in the results business. You don't know when it's going to turn but if you do the right things, they'll turn. We just need to play good baseball, string together some good at-bats. It would be nice to have a 10-run game and just blow somebody out. But that's like saying 'I'm going to go 4-for-4 tonight.' It's tough."