Black Sox Blog

The more experienced Sox knew they had a chance in the game, but Rays rookie Evan Longoria came up big and hit two home runs to power the Rays past the Sox for a 6-4 victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.  Dewayne Wise did his part in hitting a three run homer in the third inning.  Also, Paul Konerko tried to get a rally going in the top of the ninth with a solo shot, but the Sox just couldn’t get the key hits when they needed them to get back over the hump and steal the lead.  Javier Vazquez pitched a bad game only lasting four and one-third innings and giving up eight hits, six earned runs, along with six strike outs.  The pitching is the key for the Sox and without stellar performances, the Sox are doomed, especially against a young line up like Tampa Bay that will steal the momentum and just feed off of it.  Mark Buehrle takes the mound in game to as the Sox try to even up the series before they head back to Chicago.  Ozzie and the crew do not want to go back down 2-0, but a good game from both the pitching and offense is needed to beat the AL East winner, Tampa Bay.