If it seems like the White Sox haven’t led in a game in an eternity, that’s because it’s partly true. For the last 51 innings, the Sox have found themselves tied or behind their opponents. They haven’t led in a came since the third inning of their battle with Jered Weaver and the Angels on Friday the 15th.
Much of this is due to an extended hitting slump from the big bats in their lineup. Philip Humber pitched a decent game, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings, but the Sox managed to go 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position on the night.
But without run support, even a decent start wouldn’t be good enough. In their last seven games, the White Sox have scored just thirteen runs total. Though the top of the order struggled once again, Adam Dunn did go 1-for-3 on the night with a double, perhaps a sign that he’s close to finding his stroke again.
The White Sox will try to avoid running their losing streak to eight, when they finish up the series at Tampa tomorrow evening at 5:40 P.M., CDT.
For the Tampa Bay Rays, the recent losing skid of the White Sox probably looks familiar. The Rays started off the 2011 season in miserable fashion, going 0-and-6 on their first set of games. Then, somehow, they managed to turn it around and have gone 7-and-1 since. The White Sox will hope that Philip Humber can start them off on a similar run this evening as they try to go for a split in Tampa Bay.
Humber is currently 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across two starts and two relief appearances. In his most recent start, he was awarded an L after giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings. His first start was much better, when he held the Rays to just one run on four hits in six innings. In that game, only Ben Zobrist and Elliot Johnson were able to hit him, though that did occur when the Rays were struggling.
Going for the Rays will be Wade Davis. Davis is 1-2 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He previously faced the White Sox when the two teams met at the beginning of the season. In that game, he pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks. He also struck out four. Brent Morel was two for three the first time around against Davis, including a double.
First pitch for tonight's game will be at 5:40 P.M., CDT, and the game will be televised on CSN, Sun Sports HD, and FS-F.
