TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:
FLIP OF A SWITCH — Entering the seventh inning down 3-0 without a hit on the board, Tampa Bay exploded for 10 runs in the frame en route to a come-from-behind 12-3 victory…SS Wander Franco (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 2R) led off the inning with an opposite field homer to break up RHP Lance Lynn’s no-hit bid…Franco later singled in the inning after Tampa Bay batted around, and was driven in on a three-run homer from LF Randy Arozarena (2-for-5, 2HR, 4RBI, 2R)…DH Josh Lowe (2-for-4, HR, RBI, BB, 2R) capped off the 10-run frame, following Arozarena’s homer with one of his own to put Tampa Bay ahead 10-3.
According to OPTA STATS, the Rays are the first MLB team to score 12+ runs in a game after having no hits and no runs over the first six innings since the Boston Red Sox did so against the Philadelphia Athletics on 8/9/38.
It marked the seventh time in franchise history the Rays scored 10+ runs in an inning and the first since scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning vs. New York-AL on 7/29/21…Tampa Bay joins Los Angeles-AL as the only team to score 10+ runs in an inning this year…the Angels scored 11 runs in the top of the third inning at Oakland on 4/1.
Franco, Lowe and Isaac Paredes each recorded two hits in the seventh inning… according to Elias, it is the second time in franchise history the Rays have had three players register two hits in the same inning (Russell Branyan, Carl Crawford and Julio Lugo on 7/22/06 vs. BAL in the bottom of the 5th inn.)… the Blue Jays were the last team in the majors to accomplish the feat, doing so against the Red Sox on 7/22/22 (Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.).
RECENT TRANSACTIONS — Earlier today, Tampa Bay added RHP Javy Guerra to its 26-man roster and optioned RHP Calvin Faucher to Triple-A Durham…Guerra was acquired from Milwaukee on 4/29 in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
SUPER SLUGGERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 57 home runs, tied with the 2019 Seattle Mariners for second-most through a club’s first 28 games in MLB history (since 1901)…the only team with more homers through 28 games was the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (62 HR).
Tampa Bay has outhomered opponents, 57-17…it has allowed a league-low 17 homers, ahead of Atlanta and Seattle, who have each surrendered 20 HR.
The Rays homered in each of their first 22 games, the longest streak to open a season in MLB history…marked the longest home run streak at any point in a single season since the 2019 Houston Astros (25G, 9/1-29, 2019).
The Rays homered in 23 straight games overall from 10/5/22-4/23/23, the longest streak in franchise history (prev. 21G, 9/20/15-4/12/16).
MULTI-HIT MAESTRO — Randy Arozarena secured his team-leading 11th multi-hit game last night…the 11 multi-hit efforts are tied with TOR Matt Chapman for the most in the AL and tied for third most in MLB…the Rays are 10-1 when he records multiple hits, including four straight victories.
Arozarena’s 28 RBI are second most in the majors behind TEX Adolis Garcia (29)… Arozarena’s four games with 4+ RBI lead MLB, ahead of NYM Pete Alonso (3G).
He recorded his sixth career multi-homer game and his first of the season in last night’s win (last: 2 HR on 5/21/22 at BAL)…in 18 career games against the White Sox, Arozarena is batting .309 (21-for-68) with four doubles, a triple, 5 HR and 13 RBI.
HIGHS AND LOWES — Josh Lowe extended his road hitting streak to 14 games dating back to 7/24/22, the longest active run in the majors ahead of BOS Adam Duvall (10G)… marks the longest road hitting streak by a Ray since Austin Meadows (14G) from 5/24- 6/19, 2021…Lowe is slashing .392/.426/.686 (20-for-51) with three doubles, 4 HR and 10 RBI during the streak.
Lowe has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games overall, batting .364 (16-for-44) with three doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI and 3 SB during that stretch.
After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Lowe is batting .429 (9-for-21) with a double, a home run and 5 RBI with four strikeouts…after falling behind 0-2 last season, Lowe hit just .093 (4-for-43) with 2 XBH and 22 strikeouts.
IF THE SOX FIT — Yandy Díaz has a nine-game hitting streak against the White Sox dating back to 4/17/22, batting .500 (15-for-30) with three doubles, a homer, 4 RBI, nine runs scored and 10 walks compared to only three strikeouts during the streak…in 38 career games against Chicago-AL, Díaz is batting .322 (39-for-121) with seven doubles, 2 HR, 12 RBI and 25 walks against 20 strikeouts…marks his most career hits and walks
against any non-divisional opponent.
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK — The Rays lead the majors in runs scored (186) while surrendering the fewest runs (80)…Tampa Bay’s +106 run differential is the second-best mark through the first 28 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates (+112).
Tampa Bay’s 186 runs are the most by any team through 28 games since a trio of teams in 2000: St. Louis (194), Chicago-AL (192) and Colorado (187)…the Rays have scored 10+ runs in seven games this year, joining the 2012 Red Sox (8G) and 2016 Cardinals (7G) as the only teams since 2004 to have at least seven games with 10+ runs within their first 28 games of a season.
ON THE MOUND — Tampa Bay’s 2.81 ERA is the best mark in the majors, ahead of Houston (3.26)…this includes the second-best starter ERA (3.13) behind Atlanta (3.02) and the second-best bullpen ERA (2.46) behind New York-AL (2.33)…Rays pitchers pace the majors in opponents’ OPS (.586), opponents’ average (.198), fewest pitches per IP (15.49) and WHIP (1.06)…Tampa Bay’s 80 runs allowed are its fewest through 28 games in franchise history, ahead of the 2010 club (85).
IN THE BOX — Rays hitters lead MLB in OPS (.872), OBP (.349), SLG (.522), batting average (.279), extra-base hits (116) and total bases (503)…the Rays offense has produced a 44.3 pct. hard-hit rate, second in MLB behind Atlanta (45.6%)…Tampa Bay hitters have the majors’ third-lowest ground ball rate (39.1%) and the third-highest fly ball rate (29.1%).
SOUTH SIDE SYMPHONY — The Rays conclude the four-game set and the seven-game season series with the White Sox this afternoon…Tampa Bay has won a franchise-best six straight over Chicago-AL, notching the first season series win over the Sox since 2019 (4-2).
With a win this afternoon, the Rays would clinch their first season series sweep over the White Sox in franchise history…would also mark their first four-game sweep over Chicago-AL in club history.
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP DREW RASMUSSEN (3-2, 3.33)
RAS EFFECT — Rasmussen takes the hill this afternoon looking to lead the Rays to a season series sweep over the White Sox…marks his sixth start of the season, including his fourth on the road…has not permitted a run in two daytime starts this season (12.0IP).
FALTERED TO THE FINISH — Rasmussen held the visiting Astros scoreless over his first 4.0 innings of work, but was unable to escape the fifth frame in Tampa Bay’s 5-0 loss to Houston on 4/25 (4.2IP, 9H, 5ER, 2BB, 5SO)…worked out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the opening inning…
permitted hits to six of the final seven batters he faced (4 doubles).
His five runs allowed matched a career high (3x, last 4/14/23 at TOR), as did his nine hits (also: 6/10/22 at MIN)…Rasmussen has walked multiple batters in each of his last three games, matching the longest streak of his career (also 6/10-7/9, 2022).
ANYTHING DREW CAN DO — Rasmussen began the season on a 13.0 scoreless inning streak, the fourth-longest by a Rays starting pitcher to open a season in club history, trailing only Mark Hendrickson (14.0IP, 2006), Jeffrey Springs (13.2IP, 2023) and Matt Moore (13.1IP, 2013)… Rasmussen’s streak was also the 10th-longest by any pitcher to begin a season in Rays history (Elias).
WINDY CITY WRAP-UP — Over two career starts against Chicago-AL, both of which came last season, Rasmussen is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA (12.0IP, 3ER), permitting a .190 opponents’ average (8-for-42)…tossed 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball in his most recent outing against the Sox on 6/4/22 at Tropicana Field (7.0IP, 3H, 0R, BB, 2SO).
Rasmussen is 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (45.1OP, 18ER), nine walks and 42 strikeouts in 15 career games (8 starts) against AL Central clubs…this includes a 2.61 ERA (38.0IP, 11ER) in eight starts and an 8.59 ERA (7.1IP, 7ER) in seven relief appearances.
THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM — In his two daytime starts this season, Rasmussen is 2-0 and has yet to allow a run, tossing 12.0 scoreless innings while yielding only four hits…has held opponents to a .105/.171/.132 (4-for-38) clip and pitched to a 0.58 WHIP in those outings…he is the only pitcher in the majors with 10.0+ IP in day games who has not allowed a run in those outings.
Conversely, in his three night starts, Rasmussen is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA (15.0IP, 10ER) and a 1.67 WHIP, allowing opposing hitters to slash .306/.383/.435 (19-for-62)
HIT OR MISS — All 10 of the runs Rasmussen has allowed this season have come in two of his starts: 4/14 at Toronto (5R) and 4/25 vs. Houston (5R)… has earned the win in each of his other three outings, tossing a combined 18.0 scoreless innings with three walks and 22 strikeouts.
CUT AND DRY — Rasmussen turns to his cutter 34.1 pct. of the time, a pitch he has registered a 30.6 pct. whiff rate on…per Baseball Savant, it marks the fifth-highest usage rate (min. 400 total pitches) and the sixth-best whiff rate (min. 100 cutters thrown) on any pitcher’s cutter in baseball
Rasmussen originally added the cutter to his repertoire in 2022, utilizing the pitch at the ninth-highest rate in the majors (min. 1,500 total pitches) with the second-best whiff rate behind HOU Luis Garcia (min. 700 cutters thrown).
Rasmussen, whose arsenal includes three different heaters (4-seam, cutter, sinker), throws fastballs 81.9 pct. of the time, the third-highest rate in MLB (min. 400 total pitches).
CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost 10 straight games, 12 of their last 13, 15 of 17 and 18 of 22 as they continue a seven-game homestand this afternoon with the finale against Tampa Bay, owners of the best record in baseball.
RHP Mike Clevinger is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are tied with the 1948 club for the worst 28-game start in franchise history.
The Sox have lost the first three games of this series by a combined 29-10 margin and are looking to avoid their first four-game sweep at home since 9/4-7/17 vs. Cleveland.
Following today’s game and a day off tomorrow, the White Sox conclude the homestand with three games vs. Minnesota (5/2-4) before taking a seven-game trip to Cincinnati (5/5-7) and Kansas City (5/8-11).
The Sox went 0-6 on their last trip to Tampa Bay (0-3) and Toronto (0-3) from 4/21-26 and 2-4 on their last homestand vs. Baltimore (1-2) and Philadelphia (1-2) from 4/13-19.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox have lost 10 straight games for the first time since 7/26-8/4/13 and are looking to avoid their first 11-game skid since 7/7-18/56 … the Sox have been outscored, 70-25, during the losing streak.
The Rays are in position to record their second-ever sweep of three-plus games at Guaranteed Rate Field (also 4/8-10/19).
White Sox starting pitchers have lasted into the seventh inning in back-to-back starts for the first time this season.
The Sox are hitting .189/.252/.316 (118-624) with 54 runs scored (2.8 R/G) over the last 19 games … they have collected 10-plus hits three times during that span.
Jake Burger leads the White Sox with seven home runs in just 63 plate appearances … among players with at least 60 PA, Burger ranks second in MLB with a 8.14 home run ratio … 11 of his 13 hits have gone for extra bases (7 HR, 4 2B).
SOX ON ASSIGNMENT
LHP Garrett Crochet, who underwent Tommy John surgery on 4/5/22, will begin a rehab assignment today at Class AA Birmingham … Crochet, the Sox first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in the 2020 draft, has never pitched in a minor-league game.
All-Star SS Tim Anderson (sprained left knee) and INF Hanser Alberto (strained left quad) began their rehab assignments on Friday with Class AAA Charlotte.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Tampa Bay scored 10 runs in the seventh inning, including three homers, to overcome a 3-0 deficit and hand the White Sox their 10th straight loss, 12-3.
Lance Lynn carried a no-hitter and 3-0 lead into the seventh before Wander Franco began the 10-run rally with a leadoff homer … the Rays went on to become the second team in MLB history to score 10-plus runs in an inning in the seventh or later after entering that frame with no hits or runs (STATS) … the first was Toronto on 9/11/21 in game two of a seven-inning doubleheader at Baltimore (scored 11 runs after trailing, 2-0).
The 10 runs were the most allowed by the White Sox in an inning since 6/17/22 at Houston (10 in the sixth) … they gave up 10-plus runs for the fifth time this season and suffered their 11th loss after leading.
Lynn took the loss, allowing four runs on three hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts, his 24th career game with 10 or more and fifth with the White Sox.
Aaron Bummer and Jimmy Lambert each gave up three runs in the decisive seventh, with Bummer suffering his first blown save.
Elvis Andrus gave the Sox a 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the second, and Eloy Jiménez extended the lead to 3-0 with a double in the sixth.
NEAR NO-NO’S
Lance Lynn threw 6.0 hitless IP last night, the longest no-hit bid of his career and the seventh time since 2020 that a White Sox pitcher has carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning or later (STATS).
Lucas Giolito threw 6.0 hitless IP on 4/18-2/22 vs. Philadelphia, Dylan Cease went 8.2 IP on 9/3/22 vs. Minnesota, Michael Kopech went 6.0 IP on 8/12/22 vs. Detroit, and Carlos Rodón went 6.1 IP on 6/13/21 at Detroit … prior to those five games, Rodón threw a no-hitter on 4/14/21 vs. Cleveland, and Giolito threw a no-hitter on 8/25/20 vs. Pittsburgh.
Lynn’s previous longest no-hit bid was 5.2 IP on 5/24/21 vs. St. Louis, his former team (STATS).
WHITE SOX VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Tampa Bay leads the series, 6-0, and is position to record a season sweep and record their most ever wins against the White Sox in a season series.
The Sox are batting .195/.276/.366 (40-205) with a 6.71 ERA (39 ER/52.1 IP) and have been outscored, 45-21.
Three of the six White Sox losses have come in the last at-bat, including a pair in walkoff fashion.
The Sox went 4-2 against Tampa Bay in 2022, winning two of three games at home from 4/15-17 and at Tampa Bay from 6/3-5.
LOOKING FOR AN EDGE VS. THE EAST
The White Sox are 1-11 against American League East teams this season, going 1-5 at home and 0-6 on the road … they have been outscored, 85-37.
By comparison, the Sox combined to go 34-31 vs. the AL East in 2021-22.
SEARCHING FOR HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
The White Sox are 3-9 at home this season after going 37-44 (.457) in 2022, the 12th-best winning percentage in the American League … by comparison, the Sox were 53-28 (.654) at home in 2021, the best record in the AL.
Through 12 home games this season, the White Sox have been outscored, 92-49, and outhomered, 27-11.
Gavin Sheets (23 of 28) and Burger (14 of 16) have combined to hit 37 of their 44 career home runs at Guaranteed Rate Field.
FROM THE TRAINING ROOM
INF Hanser Alberto (strained left quad), SS Tim Anderson (sprained left knee), LHP Garrett Crochet (Tommy John recovery), RHPs Matt Foster (Tommy John surgery) and Liam Hendriks (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment) and 3B Yoán Moncada (lower back soreness) are on the injured list.
AS TA GOES, SO GO THE WHITE SOX
The White Sox have gone 2-15 since All-Star SS Tim Anderson was placed on the 10-day injured list on 4/11 with a sprained left knee suffered on 4/10 at Minnesota.
Since the start of the 2020 season, the Sox are 150-112 (.573) when Anderson is in the starting lineup and 66-84 (.440) when he is not.
During that span, the Sox are 124-73 when Anderson records a hit, 72-32 when he records a multi-hit effort, 94-46 when he score a run and 27-3 when he homers.
NO RISP, NO REWARD
The White Sox are hitting .157 (11-70) with runners in scoring position during their 10-game winning streak.
Andrew Vaughn is batting .429/.538/.810 (9-21) with 15 RBI with RISP this season, and Andrew Benintendi is hitting .400/.500/.467 (6-15).
STARTER – #52 MIKE CLEVINGER RHP
CLEVINGER AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his sixth start of the season, third at home and first against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Is limiting opponents to a .207 (6-29) average with RISP and .154 (2-13) average with RISP/two outs this season.
Has tossed 5.0-plus scoreless IP in two of his first five starts of the season, recording at least five strikeouts in those two outings.
Agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $12-million deal in December (includes a mutual option for 2024).
Has appeared in just 35 games (34 starts) since the start of the 2020 season … missed the entire 2021 season to continue his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery … also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.
Was originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft … was traded to Cleveland in August 2014 … made 101 major-league appearances (88 starts) with Cleveland from 2016-20 … was traded to San Diego in August 2020, appearing in just 27 games (16 starts) with Padres from 2020-22.
LAST START
Suffered his second straight loss on 4/25 at Toronto after allowing six runs on seven hits (one home run) with three walks and three strikeouts over 5.0 IP … has allowed three home runs in his last two outings after surrendering zero in his first three starts.
Departed the game in the sixth with the White Sox trailing, 6-0 … threw 100 pitches (59 strikes) … the Sox would go on to lose, 7-0.
Owned a 44.0 first-strike percentage and 4.0 swinging-strike percentage (eight swing and misses) vs. 25 batters … threw 59 four-seam fastballs (94.5 mph avg; 97.1 mph max), 31 sliders (81.2 avg; 83.1 max), five curveballs (77.5 avg; 80.1 max), three changeups (86.6 avg, 87.3 max) and two sinkers (94.3 avg, 94.6 max).
JUST WIN BABY
When Clevinger takes the mound, his team has gone 17-11 in his 28 appearances (27 starts) since 2022.
Is averaging 5.45 runs of support during that span.
Across his last 12 outings, the Padres and White Sox have gone a combined 7-5 when he pitches.
APRIL LOVE
Has gone 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA (22 ER/68.0 IP), .218 (54-248) opponents average and 62 strikeouts in 12 career April starts … has surrendered four total home runs in April, good for a 0.53 HR/per 9.0 IP, the seventh-best in baseball among active players (min. 65.0 IP).
TAKE ME HOME
Is 4-4 with a 2.55 ERA (19 ER/67.0 IP) and .193 (47- 243) opponents average over his last 13 home starts.
Owns a 25-12 record, 2.92 ERA (112 ER/344.2 IP), .219 (279-1272) opponents average and 375 strikeouts over 67 career appearances (59 starts) at home … is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA (11 ER/32.0 IP) in six career starts at Guaranteed Rate Field.
His 2.87 career ERA at home ranks 16th among active pitchers (min. 330.0 IP).
DAY ‘N’ NITE
Has gone 20-11 with a 2.88 ERA (79 ER/246.2 IP), .208 (186-893) opponents average and 252 strikeouts in 47 career day appearances (43 starts).
His 2.88 ERA in day games ranks fourth among active MLB pitchers and his .208 opponent average ranks third (min. 245.0 IP).
START STRONG
Posted a 2.04 ERA (10 ER/44.0 IP) and .173 (27-156) opponents average across the first two innings in 2022, compared to a 5.76 ERA (45 ER/70.1 IP) and .267 (75- 281) mark from the third-seventh.
Limited opponents to a .196 (37-189) average the first time through the lineup in 2022, compared to a .244 (43- 176) mark the second time through the lineup and a .306 (22-72) average the third time through the order
Is limiting opponents to a .200 (7-35) batting average across the first two innings this season, holding opponents to a .189 (7-37) average the first time through the lineup with 10 strikeouts.
VS. TAMPA BAY RAYS || A.L. EAST
Will make his second career start (third appearance) against the Tampa Bay Rays and second at home.
Has not faced the Rays since 2017 … went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/7.1 IP), .167 (4-24) opponents average and 10 strikeouts over two appearances that season … struck out nine batters over 7.0 scoreless IP in his last start on 8/12/17 in Tampa Bay.
Is 9-5 with a 4.35 ERA (53 ER/109.2 IP), 56 walks and 126 strikeouts in 23 career appearances (20 starts) against the American League East.
