Black Sox Blog

A consistent stream of runs from the fifth inning on was too much for the White Sox to handle against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The Rays routed the Sox 9-4 in the first game of a four game series.  John Danks started the game and lasted for six and one-third innings and gave up seven hits and three earned runs.  The bullpen then gave up six runs against the powerful Rays line up and the Sox just couldn’t make up the difference.  Home runs by Alexei Ramirez and Nick Swisher were not enough to help the Sox battle back.  With ten hits in the game, the Sox lowered their chances by striking out nine times as well.  The streaking Twins have taken the lead over the Sox by half a game in the AL Central.  It looks like there is not only going to be a battle for the divisional title, but a three way battle between Minnesota, Chicago, and Boston for the wild card spot in the playoffs.  Javier Vazquez will start the game for the Sox in game two of the series against the Rays.