ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ The Rays allowed three home runs, including a decisive two-run home run to Daniel Palka in the top of the ninth inning, and fell to the White Sox, 8-7, on Sunday at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay's offense left 10 runners on base and its pitchers failed to hold on to two leads, a 1-0 lead after the first inning and a 3-1 lead after the third inning.
Rays pitchers struggled with their command, walking five White Sox hitters. They allowed leadoff walks three times, and two of those runners eventually came around to score.
Hunter Wood opened the game for the Rays, but could not get out of the second inning. In 1 2/3 innings, he allowed one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked two.
Ryan Yarbrough was ineffective in relief, allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking three. He allowed two home runs to White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia.
Down 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Rays loaded the bases with no one out. After pinch-hitter C.J. Cron struck out, Ji-Man Choi tied the game with an RBI single to left field. A Kevin Kiermaier walk again loaded the bases, but Brandon Lowe struck out and Carlos Gomez grounded out.
Shields wasn't sharp for Chicago, either. He walked four Tampa Bay hitters in his first three innings but none in his final three. He allowed four runs.
The Rays fell to 56-56 and suffered their seventh sweep of the season. The White Sox improved to 40-70. The sweep is their first of the Rays at the Trop since 2012.
