- Kevin Tall
- Stock photo
Powered by fielding that’s providing nightly highlight-reel fodder, the Tampa Bay Rays captured another win against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Of course, game-winning home runs in the second inning never hurt either, right?
Once again, the Rays got aboard early. Casey Kotchman’s two-out single in the bottom of the second frame made John Jason’s first home run of the year — a shot to right field on the 1-0 pitch from Chicago starter Phil Humber — that much sweeter, putting Tampa Bay on top by two.
Rays’ starter Wade Davis didn’t look his sharpest to start this one out; he was the beneficiary of Tampa Bay’s continuing defensive excellence.
“He was challenged a couple of times but he pitched through those moments effectively,” said Rays manager Joe Maddon.
Sam Fuld tracked a deep shot by Chicago’s Alex Rios to the wall to close the bases-loaded, two-out threat in the top of the first. Matt Joyce made a nice low snag in right field in the top of the third, followed by another grab by Fuld that should have made the highlight reels, despite looking pedestrian by the lofty standards the Legendary One has set.
Tampa Bay got a bit o’ padding for its lead in the bottom of the fourth frame. B.J Upton got a free pass with two outs, scoring with ease from first base on Kotchman’s clutch double, his second hit in as many at-bats.
This article appears in May 19-25, 2011.