CHICAGO — The Rays got a series of big hits to come back to beat the White Sox 5-4 on Monday. But it was a throw from CF Kevin Kiermaier and a catch and tag by C Curt Casali that was the big play.
After blowing a 2-0 lead in the sixth when RHP Nathan Karns, who had a one-hitter going, gave up a two-run homer to Jose Abreu, and after blowing a 3-2 lead in the seventh when Steve Geltz, trying to fill the role of traded Kevin Jepsen, gave up a two-run homer to Carlos Sanchez, the Rays (53-54) rallied again.
First, when Grady Sizemore hit a left-on-left homer in the eighth off Zach Duke. Then, after Logan Forsythe walked and Asdrubal Cabrera moved him to third, rookie Mikie Mahtook, who failed in earlier situations, came up with two out in the ninth against David Robertson and delivered a single to score the go-ahead run.
"It felt great to kind of redeem myself," Mahtook said.
The Sox were starting a rally of their own going in the ninth when Alexei Ramirez singled off RHP Brad Boxberger and stole second. Adam LaRoche followed with a single up the middle, and when third-base coach Joe McEwing made the surprising decision to send Ramirez, Kiermaier made his one-hop throw and Casali his snag and tag as Ramirez tried to jump over him.
"I was shocked they sent him, and I was thankful that he did," Boxberger said.
Kiermaier, still disappointed to have just missed a spectacular leaping grab on Abreu's homer, said he told himself to just get make an on-target throw, and wasn't happy that he short-hopped the plate.
"Curt made an unbelievable pick,'' Kiermaier said. "I've hugged him at least seven times since the game ended.''
McEwing said he erred greatly in judgement, plenty aware of Kiermaier's arm, but trying to force the action. "I messed up. I tried to put the pressure on the defense,'' McEwing said. "My instinct was to send him and it was the wrong one. I probably reacted too early to send him.''
Casali, who failed to make a similar play earlier in Cleveland, said he was determined to make the catch and the tag. "Glad we got him,'' Casali said. "It was definitely a difficult play, but a game-saving play at the time.''
Said Rays manager Kevin Cash: "That was a great game. I think the last two speak volumes about the character of this club.''
FAN CLUB: RHP Chris Archer joked that he likes when he pitches a day or two before White Sox LHP Chris Sale because he gets to go ahead of him in strikeouts until Sale gets back on the mound and surpasses him.
They'll pitch on the same night tonight, and on the same mound, the two All-Stars meeting for the first time, with the American League strikeout lead and more in the balance.
"It'll be fun," Archer said.
Thus far, Archer has 173 strikeouts in 1412/3 innings over 22 starts while Sale has 177 in 1372/3 over 20. Cleveland's Corey Kluber started Monday with 172 in 157 innings over 22 starts.
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Explore all your optionsArcher developed a quick rapport with Sale after talking for a while with the Lakeland native at the All-Star Game, getting some advice from him about cutting back on between starts workload, noting that they both are of somewhat lithe builds.
MORE SHAFFER: 1B/3B Richie Shaffer became the first of the Rays' 2012 draftees to make the majors, though the 16th overall from the first and supplemental rounds of that draft, which was headlined by Astros SS Carlos Correa. … He also is the first Clemson product to play for the Rays; the 14th to wear No. 36 and first since Brooks Conrad in 2012; and the second of the 12 first-round picks to play for the Rays to debut at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field, joining Delmon Young in 2006.
SHAFFER EFFECT: Shaffer became the team-record 17th rookie to play for the Rays this season, surpassing their mark of 16 from 2001 and matched in 2011, and one of eight currently one the team. Only the Braves (19) and Yankees (18) have used more. … Shaffer is the 48th player overall used by the Rays, four shy of their 2000 team record, and the sixth to make his big-league debut. … With Shaffer's promotion and LHP Matt Moore's demotion to Triple-A Durham, the Rays have made 106 roster moves since opening day.
REHAB REPORT: OF Desmond Jennings (left knee surgery) went 0-for-4 as the DH for Durham in the third game of his rehab assignment. … LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder issues) will get an extra day's rest and make his third rehab start Thursday for the Bulls. … OF Steven Souza Jr. had his fractured left hand checked by team specialist Dr. Doug Carlan and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.