(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A day after controversy erupted regarding Derek Norris, his bat erupted for two home runs, lifting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-5 win against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at Tropicana Field.
Major League Baseball is investigating allegations from Norris' former fiancee that the catcher "physically and mentally abused" her.
Norris denied the allegations in a statement Wednesday. On Thursday, he was ready to talk about his successful night on the field.
"I've had a lot of at-bats on (White Sox starter Derek Holland) over the years, so I have a decent idea of what he's trying to execute," Norris said. "First time he hung a slider over the middle of the plate, and on the second one he just lobbed a changeup in there."
Tampa Bay (31-31) took two of three against the White Sox to move back to .500.
Rays starter Jake Odorizzi (4-3) went 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits. Alex Colome recorded four outs for his 17th save.
Chicago (25-33) did its best to rally from a 6-0 deficit in the late innings. The White Sox finally got to Odorizzi in the top of the sixth when Avasail Garcia belted a three-run homer to left-center field to make the score 6-3.
"Just an unfortunate sequence with three hitters," Odorizzi said. "Two bad pitches to (Jose) Abreu and probably the worst changeup of the day to Garcia, and he hit it out. Otherwise I felt good to get into the seventh inning and throw over 100 pitches."
Todd Frazier added a two-run homer off reliever Ryne Stanek in the eighth inning to make the score 6-5. Tim Anderson followed with a double and stole third base with one out, but Stanek and Colome got the final two outs without any further damage.
"We fought our way back," Frazier said. "(White Sox manager Rick Renteria) kind of got in us a little bit in the dugout. We had a chance to even tie or win it."
Colby Rasmus provided an insurance run for the Rays in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo homer to right field off Gregory Infante.
The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Kevin Kiermaier's hit to center field bounced off Adam Engel's chest off the hop and was ruled a double. Tim Beckham scored on the play.
Norris made the score 2-0 in the bottom of the third with his first home run, a solo shot to left field off Holland. The Rays tacked on a second run in the inning with an RBI bloop single from Evan Longoria that Peter Bourjos scored.
Tampa Bay extended its lead with three more runs off Holland in the bottom of the fourth. Norris hit his second homer of the game, a two-run blast to nearly the same spot in left field. Bourjos followed with a solo home run, the eighth time this season the Rays hit back-to-back homers.
"It started with (Norris), but then Bourjos, a really big home run," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "To be a good team, you have to have contributions throughout (the lineup). It's not always going to happen at the same time, but when other guys are quiet, somebody has to pick them up."
Chicago had opportunities early but failed to capitalize. In the top of the third inning, Willy Garcia hit a double to right center field and advanced to third on a throwing error. Beckham's throw to get Willy Garcia at third sailed over Longoria's head, but Bourjos fielded the ball and threw Garcia out at home.
The White Sox had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the fifth inning but Odorizzi struck out Kevan Smith and retired Willy Garcia on a grounder to second to escape the jam.
Holland gave up six runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings before being replaced by Juan Minaya.
"Derek, obviously we tried to get him through five," Renteria said. "They dusted him up a little bit. I think he just elevated some pitches over the plate again."
NOTES: Rays OF Kevin Kiermaier left in the fifth inning with a right hip injury after taking a fall during a close play at first base. He was on crutches after the game ... The Rays optioned RHP Jacob Faria to Triple-A Durham and activated OF Peter Bourjos (tennis elbow) off the 10-day disabled list before the game. ... White Sox RHP Jake Petricka (strained right lat) made his third relief appearance on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. ... White Sox RHP Brad Goldberg was optioned to Charlotte after the Thursday game.
Friday, June 9, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Rays' Faria tops White Sox for first MLB win
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jacob Faria earned his first major league win in his debut as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1 on Wednesday at Tropicana Field.
Faria, a former 10th-round pick, went 6 1/3 innings and gave up one run on three hits. He struck out five on 95 pitches (62 strikes). The Rays improved to 30-31, while the White Sox fell to 25-32.
Alex Colome pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey (2-5) labored through 5 1/3 innings but managed to pitch himself out of trouble on most occasions and held the Rays to 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position to keep the game close.
Pelfrey gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and walked three. He threw 96 pitches but only 54 for strikes.
Chicago got to Faria in the first inning and took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Jose Abreu. But Faria quickly settled down and retired the White Sox in order in the second, fourth and sixth innings.
The Rays put the leadoff runner on base against Pelfrey in the first four innings. They were able to cash in during the bottom of the third when Tim Beckham hit a two-run single with the bases loaded that scored Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.
The next batter, Daniel Robertson, grounded into a fielder's choice at third. Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier went home with the throw, but Colby Rasmus slid under the attempted tag by Kevan Smith to make the score 3-1.
NOTES: Major League Baseball is investigating allegations of domestic abuse against Rays C Derek Norris that were made by his ex-fiance Kristen Eck. Norris denied the allegations in a statement through his agent, telling the Tampa Bay Times they "could not be further from the truth" and that "I have never been physically or emotionally abusive toward her, or anyone else in my life." Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the team was going to let the investigation run its course. "I think we're basically out of it," Cash said. "We're going to let Major League Baseball handle it; obviously they do a good job of investigating and then we'll go from there." Norris was in the starting lineup and batted ninth. ... White Sox RHP James Shields will make his second rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Charlotte. ... The Rays placed SS Brad Miller on the 10-day DL with a hip strain. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon is scheduled to make his second rehab start with Charlotte over the weekend.
Faria, a former 10th-round pick, went 6 1/3 innings and gave up one run on three hits. He struck out five on 95 pitches (62 strikes). The Rays improved to 30-31, while the White Sox fell to 25-32.
Alex Colome pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
White Sox starter Mike Pelfrey (2-5) labored through 5 1/3 innings but managed to pitch himself out of trouble on most occasions and held the Rays to 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position to keep the game close.
Pelfrey gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and walked three. He threw 96 pitches but only 54 for strikes.
Chicago got to Faria in the first inning and took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Jose Abreu. But Faria quickly settled down and retired the White Sox in order in the second, fourth and sixth innings.
The Rays put the leadoff runner on base against Pelfrey in the first four innings. They were able to cash in during the bottom of the third when Tim Beckham hit a two-run single with the bases loaded that scored Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.
The next batter, Daniel Robertson, grounded into a fielder's choice at third. Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier went home with the throw, but Colby Rasmus slid under the attempted tag by Kevan Smith to make the score 3-1.
NOTES: Major League Baseball is investigating allegations of domestic abuse against Rays C Derek Norris that were made by his ex-fiance Kristen Eck. Norris denied the allegations in a statement through his agent, telling the Tampa Bay Times they "could not be further from the truth" and that "I have never been physically or emotionally abusive toward her, or anyone else in my life." Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the team was going to let the investigation run its course. "I think we're basically out of it," Cash said. "We're going to let Major League Baseball handle it; obviously they do a good job of investigating and then we'll go from there." Norris was in the starting lineup and batted ninth. ... White Sox RHP James Shields will make his second rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Charlotte. ... The Rays placed SS Brad Miller on the 10-day DL with a hip strain. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon is scheduled to make his second rehab start with Charlotte over the weekend.
Ramos, Marlins salvage series finale vs. Cubs
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- With the Miami Marlins holding a shaky one-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday, it came down to closer A.J. Ramos to salvage a series finale.
The Chicago Cubs had scored single runs in the seventh and eighth, and Ramos got the last out in the eight. The sixth Marlins pitcher of the night, he came back out and delivered a scoreless final inning for his ninth save to preserve a 6-5 victory.
"Those are the situations I like to be in," he said. "I kind of stepped off (the mound) to feel the energy of the crowd. Even though it was negative energy toward me, I still feed off that, and I was able to get the job done."
Teammate JT Riddle went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run single in the fourth inning as the Marlins grabbed one victory in the three-game series.
Right-hander Jose Urena (4-2) worked five innings for his third straight win as the Marlins (25-33) stopped a two-game slide. Urena allowed three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out five.
J.T. Realmuto homered in a three-run fourth inning, and Dee Gordon and Tyler Moore had two hits apiece for Miami.
"However it comes, we're just happy to have the win," Gordon said. "Honestly we needed to come out of here with at least one, and we battled the whole game for it."
Cubs right-hander John Lackey (4-6) took his third straight loss as Chicago (30-28) saw a five-game winning streak end. Lackey gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out six and hit one batter in six innings.
Chicago's Kyle Schwarber greeted Marlins reliever David Phelps with a leadoff solo homer in the seventh, cutting the Miami lead to 6-4.
Schwarber completed a 3-for-4 night as he doubled home Jon Jay off Marlins reliever Nick Wittgren with two outs in the eighth to make it 6-5.
The performance was some consolation for the Cubs after Schwarber's struggles in recent weeks.
"It's more reminiscent of what we've seen in the past," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "Great balance in his finish. Every time he's hit the ball well, he's just able to stand there because of his balance. ... A nice night for him, absolutely."
The Marlins grabbed an early lead for the second consecutive night. Gordon led off the game with a triple to left and scored on Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly.
The Cubs jumped ahead with a pair of third-inning runs. Schwarber doubled to left, Ian Happ walked and Anthony Rizzo doubled to right-center with two outs to bring them both home for a 2-1 lead.
The Marlins replied with three runs in the fourth. Realmuto forged a 2-2 tie with a one-out solo home run to left, his fifth of the season. Derek Dietrich then singled, Moore reached on a ground-rule double, and both came home when Riddle singled to center for a 4-2 lead.
In the fifth, Marcell Ozuna made it 5-2 with a two-out solo home run to left, his 15th of the season.
Happ got one run back for the Cubs, hitting a solo homer to left with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.
"I liked the way we played," Maddon said. "I thought we battled well, we had good at-bats. I thought we caught the ball on defense, Johnny (Lackey) had a tough night, but otherwise it was a pretty good game on our part."
NOTES: The Miami Herald reported Wednesday that Marlins' top-ranked prospect, LHP Braxton Garrett, has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and may require Tommy John surgery. ... The Marlins travel to Pittsburgh to open a four-game series Thursday, sending RHP Edinson Volquez (2-7, 3.79 ERA) against Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (3-5, 4.27 ERA). Volquez no-hit Arizona on Saturday. ... Pittsburgh took two of three from Miami in an April 28-30 series. ... The Marlins are 87-98 all-time against the Pirates. ... The Cubs remain home to begin a four-game set against NL West-leading Colorado on Thursday as Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (5-7, 4.60 ERA) goes against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (3-3, 3.91 ERA). ... Cubs LHP Mike Montgomery has thrown 589 pitches in relief, the most of any reliever in the majors. ... The Cubs are batting .327 with the bases loaded but .209 in other situations with runners in scoring position.
The Chicago Cubs had scored single runs in the seventh and eighth, and Ramos got the last out in the eight. The sixth Marlins pitcher of the night, he came back out and delivered a scoreless final inning for his ninth save to preserve a 6-5 victory.
"Those are the situations I like to be in," he said. "I kind of stepped off (the mound) to feel the energy of the crowd. Even though it was negative energy toward me, I still feed off that, and I was able to get the job done."
Teammate JT Riddle went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run single in the fourth inning as the Marlins grabbed one victory in the three-game series.
Right-hander Jose Urena (4-2) worked five innings for his third straight win as the Marlins (25-33) stopped a two-game slide. Urena allowed three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out five.
J.T. Realmuto homered in a three-run fourth inning, and Dee Gordon and Tyler Moore had two hits apiece for Miami.
"However it comes, we're just happy to have the win," Gordon said. "Honestly we needed to come out of here with at least one, and we battled the whole game for it."
Cubs right-hander John Lackey (4-6) took his third straight loss as Chicago (30-28) saw a five-game winning streak end. Lackey gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out six and hit one batter in six innings.
Chicago's Kyle Schwarber greeted Marlins reliever David Phelps with a leadoff solo homer in the seventh, cutting the Miami lead to 6-4.
Schwarber completed a 3-for-4 night as he doubled home Jon Jay off Marlins reliever Nick Wittgren with two outs in the eighth to make it 6-5.
The performance was some consolation for the Cubs after Schwarber's struggles in recent weeks.
"It's more reminiscent of what we've seen in the past," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "Great balance in his finish. Every time he's hit the ball well, he's just able to stand there because of his balance. ... A nice night for him, absolutely."
The Marlins grabbed an early lead for the second consecutive night. Gordon led off the game with a triple to left and scored on Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly.
The Cubs jumped ahead with a pair of third-inning runs. Schwarber doubled to left, Ian Happ walked and Anthony Rizzo doubled to right-center with two outs to bring them both home for a 2-1 lead.
The Marlins replied with three runs in the fourth. Realmuto forged a 2-2 tie with a one-out solo home run to left, his fifth of the season. Derek Dietrich then singled, Moore reached on a ground-rule double, and both came home when Riddle singled to center for a 4-2 lead.
In the fifth, Marcell Ozuna made it 5-2 with a two-out solo home run to left, his 15th of the season.
Happ got one run back for the Cubs, hitting a solo homer to left with two outs in the bottom of the fifth.
"I liked the way we played," Maddon said. "I thought we battled well, we had good at-bats. I thought we caught the ball on defense, Johnny (Lackey) had a tough night, but otherwise it was a pretty good game on our part."
NOTES: The Miami Herald reported Wednesday that Marlins' top-ranked prospect, LHP Braxton Garrett, has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and may require Tommy John surgery. ... The Marlins travel to Pittsburgh to open a four-game series Thursday, sending RHP Edinson Volquez (2-7, 3.79 ERA) against Pirates RHP Gerrit Cole (3-5, 4.27 ERA). Volquez no-hit Arizona on Saturday. ... Pittsburgh took two of three from Miami in an April 28-30 series. ... The Marlins are 87-98 all-time against the Pirates. ... The Cubs remain home to begin a four-game set against NL West-leading Colorado on Thursday as Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (5-7, 4.60 ERA) goes against Cubs LHP Jon Lester (3-3, 3.91 ERA). ... Cubs LHP Mike Montgomery has thrown 589 pitches in relief, the most of any reliever in the majors. ... The Cubs are batting .327 with the bases loaded but .209 in other situations with runners in scoring position.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Cubs do it all offensively in victory
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo's long ball provided key runs but the Chicago Cubs also mixed things up offensively in a 10-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.
Rizzo's three-run homer in the fifth inning -- his 13th -- gave the Cubs the lead, but Chicago also broke out of an over reliance on homers with seven runs coming via singles and doubles.
"Just to really have some balls on the grass and score runs that way that was kind of nice to do," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Up and down the lineup we swung the bats well."
Rizzo went 2-for-5 with four RBIs while starting pitcher Jake Arrieta turned in his sixth quality start.
"We kept the line moving there and drove the ball all over the place," Rizzo said. "You can't ever hit too many home runs, but we knew it was a solid week when someone didn't drive a run in via the long ball."
Arrieta (6-4) allowed two hits, his fewest of the season, two runs (one earned), walked three and struck out five. He retired 16 straight batters for his first victory since May 21.
The Cubs (30-27), winners of five straight, go for their second straight series sweep in Wednesday's series finale. The Marlins (24-33) suffered their second consecutive loss.
Rizzo homer keyed a four-run fifth as the Cubs erased an early Marlins advantage.
The Marlins got one run back in the seventh when Arrieta gave up a leadoff triple to J.T. Realmuto, who scored on shortstop Addison Russell's error on JT Riddle's grounder.
The Cubs added six more runs in their half of the seventh, all eventually charged to Marlins reliever Brian Ellington.
Kris Bryant opened the inning with a double to left and scored on Rizzo's single to right-center.
Jason Heyward, who went 3-for-5, had a one-out double to drive in Rizzo for a 6-2 lead. After an Albert Almora Jr. single, Javier Baez plated Heyward and Almora with a one-out double.
Ellington walked pinch hitter Ian Happ and departed. Jon Jay greeted reliever Dustin McGowan with a sharp single to left to bring in Jay and Happ to make it 10-2.
Marlins left-hander Jeff Locke (0-1) took the loss after working 4 2/3 innings.
Miami's Giancarlo Stanton singled to center with one out in the first and reached third after back-to-back walks to Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuma. Stanton scored on Realmuto's fielder's choice grounder to short.
"At that point I wanted to use the sinker as much as possible, have a few quick innings and get to the seventh like I was able to," Arrieta said. "I was relying pretty much exclusively on the sinker because it was really good tonight and just pitching to conditions."
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said at least the start was encouraging.
"The first inning was really good as far as working (Arrieta) over," Mattingly said. "We were able to nick him for one and had good at-bats from the standpoint of running his pitch count up. And them from there he was able to settle in and find the strike zone more."
In the fifth, Rizzo slammed a 1-0 pitch off Locke to the right field bleachers for a 3-1 lead. He drove in Jay and Bryant after they walked with two out.
Willson Contreras reached base on an error by shortstop Riddle and Heyward delivered his second hit of the night -- a double to deep right center -- to drive in Contreras and make it 4-1.
That was it for Locke, who threw 89 pitches and was replaced by right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler. Locke allowed four runs (three earned), four hits, four walks and struck out three in 4 2/3 innings.
"It's unacceptable of course on my part," Locke said. "We're here in Chicago playing a really good team and playing well right now. Arrieta's on the mound and you know he's not going to give you a whole lot. So you've just got to do a better job making pitches when you have to make them."
NOTES: Justin Bour, the NL's home run co-leader with 16, was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left ankle contusion Tuesday. The Marlins, in turn, called up C Tomas Tells from Triple-A New Orleans. ... Miami is hitting .270 on the road, best in the NL and second only to Houston (.290) in the major leagues. ... The Marlins send RHP Jose Urena (0-1, 1.59 ERA) against Cubs RHP John Lackey (4-5, 4.90 ERA) in Wednesday's series finale. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon continued his leadoff batter shuffling Tuesday with Jon Jay in the top spot for the fourth time this season. Six different Cubs have led off this year. ... The Cubs reactivated reliever Wade Davis from the paternity list Tuesday after a one-day stay and optioned RHP Dylan Floro to Triple-A Iowa.
Rizzo's three-run homer in the fifth inning -- his 13th -- gave the Cubs the lead, but Chicago also broke out of an over reliance on homers with seven runs coming via singles and doubles.
"Just to really have some balls on the grass and score runs that way that was kind of nice to do," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Up and down the lineup we swung the bats well."
Rizzo went 2-for-5 with four RBIs while starting pitcher Jake Arrieta turned in his sixth quality start.
"We kept the line moving there and drove the ball all over the place," Rizzo said. "You can't ever hit too many home runs, but we knew it was a solid week when someone didn't drive a run in via the long ball."
Arrieta (6-4) allowed two hits, his fewest of the season, two runs (one earned), walked three and struck out five. He retired 16 straight batters for his first victory since May 21.
The Cubs (30-27), winners of five straight, go for their second straight series sweep in Wednesday's series finale. The Marlins (24-33) suffered their second consecutive loss.
Rizzo homer keyed a four-run fifth as the Cubs erased an early Marlins advantage.
The Marlins got one run back in the seventh when Arrieta gave up a leadoff triple to J.T. Realmuto, who scored on shortstop Addison Russell's error on JT Riddle's grounder.
The Cubs added six more runs in their half of the seventh, all eventually charged to Marlins reliever Brian Ellington.
Kris Bryant opened the inning with a double to left and scored on Rizzo's single to right-center.
Jason Heyward, who went 3-for-5, had a one-out double to drive in Rizzo for a 6-2 lead. After an Albert Almora Jr. single, Javier Baez plated Heyward and Almora with a one-out double.
Ellington walked pinch hitter Ian Happ and departed. Jon Jay greeted reliever Dustin McGowan with a sharp single to left to bring in Jay and Happ to make it 10-2.
Marlins left-hander Jeff Locke (0-1) took the loss after working 4 2/3 innings.
Miami's Giancarlo Stanton singled to center with one out in the first and reached third after back-to-back walks to Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuma. Stanton scored on Realmuto's fielder's choice grounder to short.
"At that point I wanted to use the sinker as much as possible, have a few quick innings and get to the seventh like I was able to," Arrieta said. "I was relying pretty much exclusively on the sinker because it was really good tonight and just pitching to conditions."
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said at least the start was encouraging.
"The first inning was really good as far as working (Arrieta) over," Mattingly said. "We were able to nick him for one and had good at-bats from the standpoint of running his pitch count up. And them from there he was able to settle in and find the strike zone more."
In the fifth, Rizzo slammed a 1-0 pitch off Locke to the right field bleachers for a 3-1 lead. He drove in Jay and Bryant after they walked with two out.
Willson Contreras reached base on an error by shortstop Riddle and Heyward delivered his second hit of the night -- a double to deep right center -- to drive in Contreras and make it 4-1.
That was it for Locke, who threw 89 pitches and was replaced by right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler. Locke allowed four runs (three earned), four hits, four walks and struck out three in 4 2/3 innings.
"It's unacceptable of course on my part," Locke said. "We're here in Chicago playing a really good team and playing well right now. Arrieta's on the mound and you know he's not going to give you a whole lot. So you've just got to do a better job making pitches when you have to make them."
NOTES: Justin Bour, the NL's home run co-leader with 16, was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left ankle contusion Tuesday. The Marlins, in turn, called up C Tomas Tells from Triple-A New Orleans. ... Miami is hitting .270 on the road, best in the NL and second only to Houston (.290) in the major leagues. ... The Marlins send RHP Jose Urena (0-1, 1.59 ERA) against Cubs RHP John Lackey (4-5, 4.90 ERA) in Wednesday's series finale. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon continued his leadoff batter shuffling Tuesday with Jon Jay in the top spot for the fourth time this season. Six different Cubs have led off this year. ... The Cubs reactivated reliever Wade Davis from the paternity list Tuesday after a one-day stay and optioned RHP Dylan Floro to Triple-A Iowa.
Controversial HR helps White Sox snap slide
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Chicago White Sox ended their five-game losing streak Tuesday night, getting a phantom home run to open the game and edging the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 at Tropicana Field.
The Rays (29-31) dropped their fourth straight and fell two games under .500 for the first time in two weeks.
Yolmer Sanchez led off the game for the White Sox (25-31) with a shot to center field that landed in the field of play but was called a home run and upheld upon review. Sanchez's line drive looked to be headed to right-center, and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier misread it as the ball dropped behind him in straightaway center field.
Sanchez stopped at third base but was waved home as if the ball had hit one of the catwalks above the field. Replays seemed to show it didn't hit anything, but the call was upheld and Sanchez got his third home run and a 1-0 lead.
"I saw a routine fly ball that didn't even get to the warning track. Definitely the shortest home run probably in major league history," said Rays starter Chris Archer, still upset about the call and the lack of a reversal on review. "For us to have a rule to have replay and not get the call right, and put the team behind the 8-ball is a bit ridiculous for me in my opinion. ...
"I'm not a firm believer in statcast, but it said the apex of the ball was 63 feet off the ground. We don't have anything in Tropicana Field that's 63 feet off the ground. There's just a lot wrong with it."
White Sox manager Rick Renteria said he thought it was clear something had shifted the path of the ball, taking no issue with the call that gave his team its only run for the first six innings.
"It hit and it deviated ... It clearly hit something in that general area," Renteria said. "They had ruled it as a home run ... it hit what it needed to hit for us to get the call."
Chicago's Todd Frazier led off the ninth with his ninth home run after the Rays pulled within a run on a night when the Tampa Bay bullpen again struggled to get out of inning unscathed.
David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his ninth save.
The Rays had plenty of chances, loading the bases in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings, but came away with only one run.
Jesus Sucre, who grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the sixth, got a sacrifice fly in the eighth to cut the deficit to 3-2. That brought Steven Souza Jr. to the plate with runners at second and third, but he struck out to end the inning.
The Rays left 11 runners on base.
Tampa Bay's bats couldn't do much to help Archer (4-4). He struck out 11 and held the White Sox to five hits and two runs in seven innings.
"We got the guys on base, we just didn't capitalize on the opportunities that were presented," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Their pitchers made some big pitches, and sometimes that's the way it goes."
Avisail Garcia led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to left field, his ninth on the season, for a 2-1 lead off Archer. The White Sox added an insurance run in the eighth after No. 9 hitter Leury Garcia walked, then advanced to third when Tommy Hunter's pickoff attempt wound up in right field. Leury Garcia scored on Jose Abreu's two-out RBI single to right field to make it 3-1.
The Rays had the chance to break the tie in the sixth, with a leadoff walk by Tim Beckham and a single by Kiermaier. A wild pitch put runners at second and third with no outs.
After Rickie Weeks struck out, the White Sox went to reliever Chris Beck (1-0) and intentionally walked pinch hitter Brad Miller to load the bases. Sucre had a 3-0 count, but he grounded into a double play to end the inning with the score still tied.
Chicago's Jose Quintana and Archer kept opposing bats in check early, taking a 1-1 tie into the sixth inning after each gave up a run in the first inning.
"Awesome," Renteria said of Quintana's outing. "Did what he needed to do, get the outs ... I thought he did a great job. He turned it up a notch."
Tampa Bay tied the game when Corey Dickerson doubled and scored on an RBI bloop single to right field by Evan Longoria.
NOTES: The Rays will call up RHP Jacob Faria to make his major league debut as the Wednesday starter against the White Sox. Faria, 23, is the seventh Rays player to make his major league debut this season. The only team with more this year is Cincinnati, with eight. Faria was 6-1 at Triple-A Durham with a 3.07 ERA this season, leading the International League with 84 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Class A Winston-Salem. Rodon pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two. He has been on the disabled list all season with left biceps bursitis ... White Sox RHP James Shields (right lat strain) reported no issues after his rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Charlotte. He gave up three runs on three hits in four innings.
The Rays (29-31) dropped their fourth straight and fell two games under .500 for the first time in two weeks.
Yolmer Sanchez led off the game for the White Sox (25-31) with a shot to center field that landed in the field of play but was called a home run and upheld upon review. Sanchez's line drive looked to be headed to right-center, and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier misread it as the ball dropped behind him in straightaway center field.
Sanchez stopped at third base but was waved home as if the ball had hit one of the catwalks above the field. Replays seemed to show it didn't hit anything, but the call was upheld and Sanchez got his third home run and a 1-0 lead.
"I saw a routine fly ball that didn't even get to the warning track. Definitely the shortest home run probably in major league history," said Rays starter Chris Archer, still upset about the call and the lack of a reversal on review. "For us to have a rule to have replay and not get the call right, and put the team behind the 8-ball is a bit ridiculous for me in my opinion. ...
"I'm not a firm believer in statcast, but it said the apex of the ball was 63 feet off the ground. We don't have anything in Tropicana Field that's 63 feet off the ground. There's just a lot wrong with it."
White Sox manager Rick Renteria said he thought it was clear something had shifted the path of the ball, taking no issue with the call that gave his team its only run for the first six innings.
"It hit and it deviated ... It clearly hit something in that general area," Renteria said. "They had ruled it as a home run ... it hit what it needed to hit for us to get the call."
Chicago's Todd Frazier led off the ninth with his ninth home run after the Rays pulled within a run on a night when the Tampa Bay bullpen again struggled to get out of inning unscathed.
David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his ninth save.
The Rays had plenty of chances, loading the bases in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings, but came away with only one run.
Jesus Sucre, who grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the sixth, got a sacrifice fly in the eighth to cut the deficit to 3-2. That brought Steven Souza Jr. to the plate with runners at second and third, but he struck out to end the inning.
The Rays left 11 runners on base.
Tampa Bay's bats couldn't do much to help Archer (4-4). He struck out 11 and held the White Sox to five hits and two runs in seven innings.
"We got the guys on base, we just didn't capitalize on the opportunities that were presented," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Their pitchers made some big pitches, and sometimes that's the way it goes."
Avisail Garcia led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to left field, his ninth on the season, for a 2-1 lead off Archer. The White Sox added an insurance run in the eighth after No. 9 hitter Leury Garcia walked, then advanced to third when Tommy Hunter's pickoff attempt wound up in right field. Leury Garcia scored on Jose Abreu's two-out RBI single to right field to make it 3-1.
The Rays had the chance to break the tie in the sixth, with a leadoff walk by Tim Beckham and a single by Kiermaier. A wild pitch put runners at second and third with no outs.
After Rickie Weeks struck out, the White Sox went to reliever Chris Beck (1-0) and intentionally walked pinch hitter Brad Miller to load the bases. Sucre had a 3-0 count, but he grounded into a double play to end the inning with the score still tied.
Chicago's Jose Quintana and Archer kept opposing bats in check early, taking a 1-1 tie into the sixth inning after each gave up a run in the first inning.
"Awesome," Renteria said of Quintana's outing. "Did what he needed to do, get the outs ... I thought he did a great job. He turned it up a notch."
Tampa Bay tied the game when Corey Dickerson doubled and scored on an RBI bloop single to right field by Evan Longoria.
NOTES: The Rays will call up RHP Jacob Faria to make his major league debut as the Wednesday starter against the White Sox. Faria, 23, is the seventh Rays player to make his major league debut this season. The only team with more this year is Cincinnati, with eight. Faria was 6-1 at Triple-A Durham with a 3.07 ERA this season, leading the International League with 84 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. ... White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Class A Winston-Salem. Rodon pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two. He has been on the disabled list all season with left biceps bursitis ... White Sox RHP James Shields (right lat strain) reported no issues after his rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Charlotte. He gave up three runs on three hits in four innings.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Cubs beat Marlins, extend winning streak to four
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Eddie Butler continues to make a case that he belongs on the Chicago Cubs' roster.
The right-hander, called up last month after left-hander Brett Anderson went on the disabled list, allowed just one run in a 5 2/3-inning outing as Chicago beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Monday.
"Today we really attacked the zone, limited the walks and were ahead in the count a lot," Butler said after he picked up his third victory since a May 12 arrival.
Butler (3-1) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four. But it wasn't all just him.
He was quick to credit Cubs' defensive performance, including a snap eighth-inning pickoff throw by catcher Willson Contreras to first base to catch Miami's JT Riddle that stymied a potential rally.
"It's huge," Butler said. "It limits the number of pitches, limits the guys on base and ends up limiting the runs."
Kris Bryant and Albert Almora Jr. homered in the opener of a three-game series as the Cubs (29-27) won their fourth straight.
Miami (24-32) saw a three-game winning streak snapped.
Bryant went 1-for-4 with a first-inning homer, and Almora was 2-for-3 with a fourth-inning blast on a chilly evening with temperatures in the upper 50s and strong winds from the north.
Marlins starter Dan Straily (4-4) saw a three-game winning streak end as his teammates struggled at the plate.
Butler, meanwhile, sailed into the sixth inning with a 3-0 lead before giving up two doubles and a run.
Riddle's two-base hit to deep center led off the inning. Riddle reached third on Straily's grounder to second and scored on Dee Gordon's sacrifice fly to center.
Butler then gave up a double to Giancarlo Stanton and was pulled with two outs for left-handed reliever Mike Montgomery, who got Christian Yelich on an inning-ending groundout.
Montgomery pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and earned his second save. He gave up three hits and struck out three.
"He pitches really well against right-handed hitters," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The biggest problem he's had are the walks. He didn't walk anybody, and that's the difference in that game, that's why it was so clean."
Straily worked seven innings before he was pulled for a pinch hitter. He allowed three runs on six hits, struck out five and walked none. However, he was behind almost immediately.
Ben Zobrist led off with a double off the center field wall, and Bryant brought him home, hitting a 1-0 pitch to left for his team-leading 13th homer of the season.
"Obviously not the way I wanted to get going there with the first two guys, but you can't sit there and feel sorry for yourself," Straily said. "There's a lot of ballgame left and I had to keep pitching."
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, "I thought Danny was really good tonight, obviously he gives up the two in the first ... and then he settles down and gives us a solid seven. (He) gives our offense a chance, (but) really we just didn't do anything."
With the Cubs up 2-0, the Marlins threatened in the second but came up empty.
Marcell Ozuna doubled to lead off the inning and J.T. Realmuto followed with a walk. Derek Dietrich grounded into a double play and Tyler Moore flied to left to end the inning.
Jason Heyward nearly added a run in the Cubs' fourth with a long drive to right, but it was caught by Stanton on the warning track. The next batter, Almora, followed with a shot with more distance. His two-out solo home run landed in the left field bleachers to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. It was his third homer of the season.
NOTES: The Marlins arrived in Chicago on the heels of an 8-2 homestand, tied for second best in franchise history. ... Miami RHP Edinson Volquez was named NL Player of the Week for May 29-June 4 following a 2-0 week that included last Saturday's no-hitter against Arizona. ... The Marlins send LHP Jeff Locke (0-0, 1.59 ERA) against Chicago RHP Jake Arrieta (5-4, 4.60 ERA) on Tuesday. ... The Cubs placed RHP Wade Davis on the paternity list and recalled RHP Dylan Floro from Triple-A Iowa. ... The Cubs' 7-6 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday featured a two-decade gap between stars as 22-year-old OF Ian Happ had a multi-homer game while RHP Koji Uehara, 42, earned his second save of the season. ... Chicago LHP Brett Anderson, on the disabled list since May 7 with low back strain, was scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game on Monday as part of his rehabilitation. He does not have a scheduled return date.
The right-hander, called up last month after left-hander Brett Anderson went on the disabled list, allowed just one run in a 5 2/3-inning outing as Chicago beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Monday.
"Today we really attacked the zone, limited the walks and were ahead in the count a lot," Butler said after he picked up his third victory since a May 12 arrival.
Butler (3-1) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four. But it wasn't all just him.
He was quick to credit Cubs' defensive performance, including a snap eighth-inning pickoff throw by catcher Willson Contreras to first base to catch Miami's JT Riddle that stymied a potential rally.
"It's huge," Butler said. "It limits the number of pitches, limits the guys on base and ends up limiting the runs."
Kris Bryant and Albert Almora Jr. homered in the opener of a three-game series as the Cubs (29-27) won their fourth straight.
Miami (24-32) saw a three-game winning streak snapped.
Bryant went 1-for-4 with a first-inning homer, and Almora was 2-for-3 with a fourth-inning blast on a chilly evening with temperatures in the upper 50s and strong winds from the north.
Marlins starter Dan Straily (4-4) saw a three-game winning streak end as his teammates struggled at the plate.
Butler, meanwhile, sailed into the sixth inning with a 3-0 lead before giving up two doubles and a run.
Riddle's two-base hit to deep center led off the inning. Riddle reached third on Straily's grounder to second and scored on Dee Gordon's sacrifice fly to center.
Butler then gave up a double to Giancarlo Stanton and was pulled with two outs for left-handed reliever Mike Montgomery, who got Christian Yelich on an inning-ending groundout.
Montgomery pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and earned his second save. He gave up three hits and struck out three.
"He pitches really well against right-handed hitters," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The biggest problem he's had are the walks. He didn't walk anybody, and that's the difference in that game, that's why it was so clean."
Straily worked seven innings before he was pulled for a pinch hitter. He allowed three runs on six hits, struck out five and walked none. However, he was behind almost immediately.
Ben Zobrist led off with a double off the center field wall, and Bryant brought him home, hitting a 1-0 pitch to left for his team-leading 13th homer of the season.
"Obviously not the way I wanted to get going there with the first two guys, but you can't sit there and feel sorry for yourself," Straily said. "There's a lot of ballgame left and I had to keep pitching."
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, "I thought Danny was really good tonight, obviously he gives up the two in the first ... and then he settles down and gives us a solid seven. (He) gives our offense a chance, (but) really we just didn't do anything."
With the Cubs up 2-0, the Marlins threatened in the second but came up empty.
Marcell Ozuna doubled to lead off the inning and J.T. Realmuto followed with a walk. Derek Dietrich grounded into a double play and Tyler Moore flied to left to end the inning.
Jason Heyward nearly added a run in the Cubs' fourth with a long drive to right, but it was caught by Stanton on the warning track. The next batter, Almora, followed with a shot with more distance. His two-out solo home run landed in the left field bleachers to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. It was his third homer of the season.
NOTES: The Marlins arrived in Chicago on the heels of an 8-2 homestand, tied for second best in franchise history. ... Miami RHP Edinson Volquez was named NL Player of the Week for May 29-June 4 following a 2-0 week that included last Saturday's no-hitter against Arizona. ... The Marlins send LHP Jeff Locke (0-0, 1.59 ERA) against Chicago RHP Jake Arrieta (5-4, 4.60 ERA) on Tuesday. ... The Cubs placed RHP Wade Davis on the paternity list and recalled RHP Dylan Floro from Triple-A Iowa. ... The Cubs' 7-6 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday featured a two-decade gap between stars as 22-year-old OF Ian Happ had a multi-homer game while RHP Koji Uehara, 42, earned his second save of the season. ... Chicago LHP Brett Anderson, on the disabled list since May 7 with low back strain, was scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game on Monday as part of his rehabilitation. He does not have a scheduled return date.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Happ homers twice as Cubs pull out sweep of Cards
(TSX / STATS) -- CHICAGO -- Curtain calls are becoming a trend for the Chicago Cubs.
On Sunday night, it was rookie Ian Happ's turn to climb the dugout steps and salute a sellout crowd. The 22-year-old smiled and waved after belting his second home run of the game.
The Cubs held on for a 7-6 win to complete a three-game sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals.
"Awesome moment," Happ said. "These fans are unbelievable."
Happ notched his first career multi-home run game and drove in a career-high four runs to lead the Cubs. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning
Chicago (28-27) improved to 17-11 at Wrigley Field and climbed above .500 for the first time since May 28. The Cubs completed their first three-game sweep over the Cardinals since Sept. 13-15, 2010.
Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run home run to lead the Cardinals at the plate but committed a costly error in right field. Aledmys Diaz added a pair of doubles and an RBI in a losing effort.
St. Louis (26-28) suffered its eighth loss in the past 11 games.
"When things started to go bad, they went bad in a hurry," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
Cubs right-hander Pedro Strop (2-2) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. Strop was one of five relievers to bail out starter Kyle Hendricks, who gave up four runs in four innings.
Cardinals right-hander Matt Bowman (1-2) drew the loss out of the bullpen.
Jay broke a 6-6 tie with a line drive to left-center field that scored Anthony Rizzo from second base. The former Cardinal has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with three RBIs as a pinch hitter this season.
"Jon Jay is such a valuable baseball player," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I was thinking about it, it's kind of like John Havlicek. The sixth man in basketball becomes famous.
"He's the sixth man here. You can pop him in there, and it's like instant offense. You know something good possibly can happen. You know he's ready."
Jay's hit spoiled a comeback bid for St. Louis, which scored twice in the sixth to even the score. Paul DeJong and Diaz each drove in a run during the frame.
Right-hander Koji Uehara picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.
Chicago opened the scoring on a solo home run by Happ in the third. The rookie hooked a towering fly ball just inside the right-field foul pole.
The Cardinals turned to the long ball to pull ahead in the fourth. After Dexter Fowler and Matt Carpenter drew a pair of walks, Piscotty launched a three-run home run into the left-field bleachers.
DeJong drove in Jedd Gyorko with a single later in the inning to increase St. Louis' lead to 4-1.
The lead vanished in a hurry as the Cubs scored five runs in the fourth to regain a 6-4 advantage. Miguel Montero and Addison Russell started the comeback when they scored on a pinch-hit single by Albert Almora that rolled underneath Piscotty's glove for a two-base error.
Two batters later, Happ pulled a three-run blast into the right-field bleachers for his second home run of the game and his fourth of the season.
"That ball was really properly struck," Maddon said. "That had that second gear on it."
Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha blamed himself for allowing the Cubs back in the game. Wacha gave up six runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings but received a no-decision.
"That's on me," Wacha said. "Guys have been giving me a lead out there, and I've just been serving it right back to them. That's not the way to go about it.
"Whenever we get a lead, that starter is supposed to go out there and keep that lead for us, and I haven't been doing that."
NOTES: The Cubs held a moment of silence before the game to honor former big league player, coach and broadcaster Jimmy Piersall, who died Saturday at age 87. ... Cardinals 3B Jedd Gyorko was activated from the paternity list and went 1-for-4. Gyorko and his wife, Karley, welcomed a daughter, Brooklyn Ellee, on Tuesday. The couple also has 3-year-old twin boys. ... Cubs SS Addison Russell returned to the starting lineup and 2B/SS Javier Baez came in off the bench as manager Joe Maddon continues to rotate playing time for the duo. ... The Cardinals optioned OF Magneuris Sierra to Double-A Springfield. Sierra has hit safely in all eight games he has played in the majors. ... Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong is slated to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment this week. He has been on the disabled list since May 27 with a left elbow strain.
On Sunday night, it was rookie Ian Happ's turn to climb the dugout steps and salute a sellout crowd. The 22-year-old smiled and waved after belting his second home run of the game.
The Cubs held on for a 7-6 win to complete a three-game sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals.
"Awesome moment," Happ said. "These fans are unbelievable."
Happ notched his first career multi-home run game and drove in a career-high four runs to lead the Cubs. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning
Chicago (28-27) improved to 17-11 at Wrigley Field and climbed above .500 for the first time since May 28. The Cubs completed their first three-game sweep over the Cardinals since Sept. 13-15, 2010.
Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run home run to lead the Cardinals at the plate but committed a costly error in right field. Aledmys Diaz added a pair of doubles and an RBI in a losing effort.
St. Louis (26-28) suffered its eighth loss in the past 11 games.
"When things started to go bad, they went bad in a hurry," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
Cubs right-hander Pedro Strop (2-2) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. Strop was one of five relievers to bail out starter Kyle Hendricks, who gave up four runs in four innings.
Cardinals right-hander Matt Bowman (1-2) drew the loss out of the bullpen.
Jay broke a 6-6 tie with a line drive to left-center field that scored Anthony Rizzo from second base. The former Cardinal has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with three RBIs as a pinch hitter this season.
"Jon Jay is such a valuable baseball player," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I was thinking about it, it's kind of like John Havlicek. The sixth man in basketball becomes famous.
"He's the sixth man here. You can pop him in there, and it's like instant offense. You know something good possibly can happen. You know he's ready."
Jay's hit spoiled a comeback bid for St. Louis, which scored twice in the sixth to even the score. Paul DeJong and Diaz each drove in a run during the frame.
Right-hander Koji Uehara picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.
Chicago opened the scoring on a solo home run by Happ in the third. The rookie hooked a towering fly ball just inside the right-field foul pole.
The Cardinals turned to the long ball to pull ahead in the fourth. After Dexter Fowler and Matt Carpenter drew a pair of walks, Piscotty launched a three-run home run into the left-field bleachers.
DeJong drove in Jedd Gyorko with a single later in the inning to increase St. Louis' lead to 4-1.
The lead vanished in a hurry as the Cubs scored five runs in the fourth to regain a 6-4 advantage. Miguel Montero and Addison Russell started the comeback when they scored on a pinch-hit single by Albert Almora that rolled underneath Piscotty's glove for a two-base error.
Two batters later, Happ pulled a three-run blast into the right-field bleachers for his second home run of the game and his fourth of the season.
"That ball was really properly struck," Maddon said. "That had that second gear on it."
Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha blamed himself for allowing the Cubs back in the game. Wacha gave up six runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings but received a no-decision.
"That's on me," Wacha said. "Guys have been giving me a lead out there, and I've just been serving it right back to them. That's not the way to go about it.
"Whenever we get a lead, that starter is supposed to go out there and keep that lead for us, and I haven't been doing that."
NOTES: The Cubs held a moment of silence before the game to honor former big league player, coach and broadcaster Jimmy Piersall, who died Saturday at age 87. ... Cardinals 3B Jedd Gyorko was activated from the paternity list and went 1-for-4. Gyorko and his wife, Karley, welcomed a daughter, Brooklyn Ellee, on Tuesday. The couple also has 3-year-old twin boys. ... Cubs SS Addison Russell returned to the starting lineup and 2B/SS Javier Baez came in off the bench as manager Joe Maddon continues to rotate playing time for the duo. ... The Cardinals optioned OF Magneuris Sierra to Double-A Springfield. Sierra has hit safely in all eight games he has played in the majors. ... Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong is slated to begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment this week. He has been on the disabled list since May 27 with a left elbow strain.
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