Rays 5, White Sox 1: Behold the power of the Sky Ray

All they do is win, win, win no matter what.

Can’t stop, won’t stop the Sky Ray.

Zach Eflin vs. Michael Soroka at the Trop. So how did it all go down?

In the top of the first Eflin got the White Sox three-up three-down. In the bottom half, Randy Arozarena got a two-out walk, but got caught stealing to end the inning.

With two outs in the top of the second Bryan Ramos singled. Rafael Ortega then reached on a fielding error from Jose Caballero. A flyout ended the inning to leave two men stranded.

Isaac Paredes singled to start off the second, followed by a walk to Richie Palacios. A Harold Ramirez single then scored Paredes to put the Rays on the board. Jonny DeLuca walked. Ben Rortvedt grounded into a double play but the Rays got another man home in Palacios. A bunt groundout ended the inning but the Rays were up 2-0.

The third saw another 1-2-3 inning against the White Sox. Starting the home half of the third, Yandy Diaz reached on an error, then one out later Randy Arozarena put up a mighty at-bat that ended in a two-run home run. The Rays were up 4-0 at the end of three.

Again the White Sox went hitless in the fourth, as Eflin really got his groove going. Ben Rortvedt got a two-out walk in the bottom half, but no runs scored.

Things got a bit nail-bitey in the top of the fifth for Eflin. With two outs, Paul DeJong singled, then Korey Lee singled. Nicky Lopez reached on fielder’s choice that was ruled another error to Caballero. With the bases loaded, a Gavin Sheets flyout ended the inning and the Rays let out one heck of a deep breath. The Rays went 1-2-3 in the home half.

In the sixth the White Sox went down in order. In the bottom half Soroka’s night was over, giving way to Brad Keller. Isaac Paredes said “hell Brad” by hitting a solo home run. DeLuca got a two-out single, but the Rays weren’t able to convert another run.

The White Sox finally made something happen in the seventh. Paul DeJong hit a two-out solo home run. It was the only run the White Sox got that inning but Korey Lee and Nicky Lopez each got a single before the final out, showing Eflin to be on shakier footing by the seventh. Josh Lowe got a two-out single in the bottom half, but no runs scored.

Phil Maton was out of the bullpen in relief to start the eighth. Phil. Phil is an odd name for a baseball player. Who are some notable MLB Phils? Phil Niekro, obviously. Phil Rizzuto. Anyway, that’s a question for y’all to have fun with in the comments now that the word “Phil” has lost all meaning to me. Anyway, he set the White Sox down in order. In the bottom half Paredes singled, and DeLuca doubled, but the Rays left two men stranded.

Manuel Rodriguez came out of the Rays pen and walked Bryan Ramos. A double play quickly removed the threat. DeJong was hit by a pitch but the Rays got the final out on the next batter and walked away with another City Connect win.

Final: Rays 5, White Sox 1