The Tampa Bay rays were hoping to finish off the Chicago White Sox Sunday afternoon but their attempt was thwarted by outstanding pitching from the White Sox. The Rays offense banged out 8 hits but were shut down for only 3 runs. They couldn’t seem to string hits together as Chicago SP Danks seemed to toughen up as runners were on the base path.

Rays SP Matt Garza had a great first 3 innings then imploded a bit in the 4th allowing Chicago to jump on top with 3 runs. Garza was tagged with the loss as the Rays could not recover from his bumpy 4th inning. Overall Garza’s line was 6 innings, 7 hits, 5 ER, 4 free passes and 4 K’s. Garza has had a few struggles the last 3-4 outings of the regular season as well. This does not bode well fro the Rays if they continue on deeper into the playoffs. They need Garza to step up and throw with the confidence he has had all season long.

On the offensive side of the ball the Rays were able to put runners on base all game long, 8 hits and 4 free passes. They were not able to string hits together or swipe bags as Danks showed off why Manager Ozzie Guillen calls him a big game pitcher. On the positive side Iwamura, Upton, Pena and Navarro all had a multiple hit game with 2 hits each. Nice to see Carlos back in the lineup and swinging the bat well! BJ Upton accounted for 2 of the 3 runs by blasting a towering shot to LF. The Rays have had a good approach at the plate and are swinging the bats well. An additional hit or 2 and the outcome of this game would have been reversed no doubt!

Today the Rays try to close out the series with Chicago and send Andy Sonnanstine to the mound. I have a real good feeling about this. The Rays have done well to neutralize the power of the White Sox for the first 3 games of the series allowing only 2 HR (both in Game 1) in this series. Sonny needs to keep the ball low and pound the strike zone. Sonny may get hit a lot but if he keeps it in the park Rays will win!

Go Rays!