White Sox win series against Rays

Apr 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder

(30) hits a two-run homer against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

It was a long four-game series for the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, but it was the “good guys” who came out on top, as Monday’s 7-3 win by the White Sox gave them the series, three games to one.

Monday’s game was a wet and rainy night towards the latter innings, but the White Sox still managed to gain the win, getting solid starting pitching. They even had a good night from their bullpen, which is always an extra bonus 27 games into the season.

The best part about this win was, not only did it make the White Sox 14-13 overall, but it was the second time this season they won a four-game series. They also won three-of-four against the Cleveland Indians.

Apr 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(64) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

My first thought is the pitching of right-hander Andre Rienzo. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks. He also had four strikeouts for the win, as he moves to 2-0 on the year with a 4.05 ERA.

That was better than what I expected the start would be, and in all honestly, this was a better series for the White Sox than I figured it would be before it began. The starting pitching by this team in this series, especially the starters, was really needed.

His start wasn’t the best, but we’ve seen a lot worse this season, so I’ll take it to start out the week.

Then there was Jose Abreu adding to his rookie RBI record Monday, going 2-for-4 with one RBI and one walk, giving him 32 RBIs in the month of April with two games to go before May 1.

The RBI by Abreu was an insurance run for the Sox in the bottom of the eighth, but in the sixth inning, the two-RBI hit by Adam Eaton to score Tyler Flowers and Marcus Semien was a thing of beauty. Plus it put the White Sox ahead by three runs at 6-3.

In the bottom of the second, Alejandro De Aza hit a two-run homer to centerfield, tying the score at 2-2, and in the fourth the White Sox took the lead for good with a triple by Alexei Ramirez that scored Dayan Viciedo, plus a Semien double scored Ramirez.

Jake Odorizzi suffered the loss (1-3, 6.85), lasting just 4.1 innings, as he allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks.

All-on-all, it was a very sold outing for the White Sox in all aspects of their game, because even Matt Lindstrom didn’t allow a run in the ninth. Always a plus.

Now the focus must shift to the Detroit Tigers, as the White Sox will host them for a three-game series starting on Tuesday night.

Subscribe to the Southside Showdown free daily newsletter from FanSided by clicking here or add the the FanSided mobile app by clicking here. Please follow Southside Showdown on Twitter and like us on Facebook.