Evan Longoria helps Tampa Bay Rays edge Chicago White Sox 3-2 – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays continued their superb winning streak as they edged past the Chicago White Sox 3-2 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, September 27 in the opening game of their four match series.
Both teams displayed some top quality fighting skills in a game that turned out to be a thriller. Growing in confidence, Rays outplayed their opponents in finer details of the game.
Evan Longoria had an incredible time with the bat as he played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash. Rays’ third baseman hit the tie breaking home-run to left centre in the bottom of the ninth to help his side secure a much needed victory.
"The belief has never gone away. We've felt like we had a good chance to be a playoff team from the beginning of the year," Longoria said. "The pressure is not on us playing from behind. It's not ours to lose, it's ours to win. We're behind, but we're close
enough."
Carlos Pena hit a sacrifice fly to centre in the fourth inning to put Rays on the board. Luke Scott homered to right centre in the fifth inning to restore Rays’ one run lead. However, it was Longoria who took Rays home with a mighty solo home-run against
Chicago’s relief pitcher Brett Myers.
"There ain't nobody to blame. I think everybody in here will take accountability for the way we've played," Chicago starter Jake Peavy said. "We had it right there in front of us a lot tonight and throughout the last week and a half.”
Rays’ starting pitcher tossed up six plus solid innings, allowing just six hits and two run to keep his side in the contest. Relief pitcher Joel Peralta grabbed his second win of the season after pitching the perfect eighth.
Rays are making a sensational run at the playoffs and it will be interesting to see if they can continue their good work to grab one of the two American League Wild Card spots.
White Sox, on the other hand, are slumping at the worst possible time. Manager Robin Ventura will be expecting his men to regroup and fight back to give themselves a chance of reaching the playoffs.
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