That’s a White Sox Winner: Kay and Pereira Power Chicago Past Tampa Bay
By Brian Snow
Snowman Multimedia Sports Network
That’s a White Sox Winner!
The Chicago White Sox closed their trip to Tampa Bay with an emphatic 9 to 1 victory, taking two of three games from the Rays and finishing the series with their most complete performance of the weekend.
Anthony Kay delivered 6.1 scoreless innings, while Everson Pereira drove in four runs with a two run double and a two run home run. Their performances earned them Snowman Multimedia Sports Network Players of the Game honors.
Chicago finished with nine runs on nine hits, scoring early, adding on in the middle innings, and putting the game completely out of reach with a four run ninth.
Chicago Strikes First
The White Sox took advantage of Tampa Bay mistakes in the opening inning.
With two outs, Andrew Benintendi reached on a fielding error, allowing Chicago to extend the inning. The White Sox eventually pushed two unearned runs across the plate, immediately placing the Rays in an early hole.
The opening inning set the tone. Chicago remained patient, capitalized on defensive mistakes, and forced Tampa Bay to play from behind.
Benintendi added to the lead in the fourth inning by launching a solo home run. His blast extended the White Sox advantage to 3 to 0 and gave Kay additional breathing room.
Kay Keeps Tampa Bay Off the Board
Tampa Bay collected hits and created scoring opportunities, but Kay refused to allow the Rays to produce the hit that mattered most.
The left hander worked through traffic, controlled the damage, and maintained his composure whenever Tampa Bay threatened. He completed 6.1 scoreless innings and placed the White Sox in position to secure the series.
The biggest challenge came during the seventh inning when the Rays loaded the bases. Chicago escaped without allowing a run, preserving Kay’s scoreless line and Tampa Bay’s frustration.
The Rays finished with 11 hits and left 10 runners on base. That statistic told the story of Kay’s afternoon. Tampa Bay frequently put runners aboard, but Kay and the Chicago pitching staff repeatedly found the pitch or defensive play needed to end the threat.
Kay earned the victory and improved his record to 8 and 5.
Pereira Delivers the Big Blows
Everson Pereira supplied the game’s most important offensive production.
With two outs in the sixth inning, Pereira drove a double into the gap that brought home two runs. The extra base hit extended Chicago’s lead and delivered the type of timely hit that had eluded Tampa Bay throughout the game.
Pereira was not finished.
In the ninth inning, he launched a two run home run, giving him four RBI for the afternoon and helping turn a comfortable lead into a rout.
Miguel Vargas followed with a two run home run of his own. The pair of ninth inning blasts completed a four run inning and extended Chicago’s lead to 9 to 0.
Tampa Bay avoided the shutout when Williamson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, but the outcome had long been decided.
A Complete Series Victory
Chicago’s nine runs came on nine hits. The White Sox committed two errors and left four runners on base.
Tampa Bay scored one run on 11 hits, committed two errors, and stranded 10 runners.
The victory gave the White Sox two wins in the three game series. After dropping a tight 1 to 0 decision, Chicago responded with an offensive explosion and one of its strongest pitching performances of the trip.
Kay gave the White Sox the length and composure they needed on the mound. Pereira delivered the decisive hits. Benintendi and Vargas supplied additional power. The bullpen protected the lead.
It was timely hitting, resilient pitching, and the ability to capitalize on mistakes.
It was a series victory.
And most importantly, it was another chance to say the words that honor former White Sox voice John Rooney:
That’s a White Sox Winner!
SMSN Players of the Game
Anthony Kay: 6.1 scoreless innings and the winning decision.
Everson Pereira: Two run double, two run home run, and four RBI.
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