Chicago White Sox blow big lead, bounce back to beat Rays

They blew a 5-0 lead, butchered another relay play and heard more boos from the home crowd Wednesday afternoon.

In the end, it really didn't matter.

At this juncture, all the Chicago White Sox care about is winning games. It took them 10 innings, but the Sox accomplished that daily goal with a 6-5 decision over the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field.

"We needed the win," closer David Robertson said after the White Sox avoided a three-game sweep. "We didn't play too well the last two days and when you don't play well, you don't win games. We started out really hot today and just let this one slip into a really tough game.

"We battled back and managed to get a win. We scratched and clawed until we got one."

It looked like the Sox were going to cruise to a leisurely win when Avisail Garcia sparked a 5-run first inning with a 3-run homer off Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez.

But nothing has some easy for the White Sox lately, which explains why the bats went quiet and Tampa Bay chipped away until tying the game in the eighth inning.

"(Ramirez) settled down," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We didn't get much going after that. I thought in the first inning we were aggressive with fastballs. After that, it just seemed you let up and you give them the fastball for a strike to start it out and then you are dealing with his changeup. He he had a very good changeup today. His off-speed stuff was good."

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon was not good, again.

Staked to the big early lead, the rookie left-hander had trouble throwing strikes and lasted just 4⅔ innings.

Rodon allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, and is obviously a work in progress at the age of 22.

"Just figuring out hitters, figuring out what I need to do," Rodon said after his ERA swelled to 5.00. "I mean, it's pretty simple when you say it out loud, but it's a little difficult when you get in the game. But that's the way the game is. This is the best of the best."

Losing to Tampa Bay after holding a big early lead would have been crushing, but the Sox stayed with it and won the game in the 10th.

Adam Eaton hit a leadoff single off Brad Boxberger, stole second base and advanced to third on shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera's error.

After Tyler Saladino flied out to short left field, Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera were both intentionally walked to load the bases.

Garcia drew an unintentional walk to force home Eaton and end the game.

"It was big," Eaton said. "Score 5 in the first and have them battle back was a little frustrating, but to come out on top was good. Hopefully, we're going in the right way and hopefully we can start streaking for about a month or two.

"We've definitely been Jekyll and Hyde where it's been one or the other. Hopefully, we can get on the good side of things and roll a little bit here. I think the fan base would appreciate that."