Rays lose to MLB-worst White Sox on walk-off home run in 10th inning

CHICAGO — The Rays had a lot going on in Saturday’s game against the White Sox.

Richie Palacios had a breakout performance in the leadoff spot, hitting a homer and reaching base six times. Austin Shenton hit his first big league home run. Randy Arozarena had an actual big hit. Jose Siri was unexpectedly removed from the game.

Ben Rortvedt hit a homer that, via review, was changed to a single, as part of his five-times-on-base night. Aaron Civale started well but gave up six runs. The defense made some costly missteps. Several scoring opportunities were wasted, including bases loaded with one out in the eighth. A lead in the 10th inning on two wild pitches.

And, ultimately, an 8-7 walk-off loss as Andrew Benintendi hit a two-run homer off Phil Maton with one out in the 10th inning. For the second straight night, the Rays (13-15) fell to the MLB-worst White Sox, who are now 5-22.

The Rays took the lead in the 10th on a pair of wild pitches by White Sox reliever Deivi Garcia. Curtis Mead, the runner placed at second, moved to third on a wild pitch before Rortvedt drew a walk. Mead then scored with two outs, when Palacios was at the plate.

The game featured an unusual move by Rays manager Kevin Cash, who took out center fielder Siri in the middle of the third inning. The team said the change was not injury-related. That raised the question if it was a result of Siri not hustling in for a ground-ball hit up the middle in the second by Eloy Jimenez, who took advantage to turn it into a double.

The Rays took a 3-0 lead, but as has been the case recently wasted chances for more.

They got a run in the second, though only one in a sequence that included three straight one-out hits — a Mead double, Rortvedt single, and Jose Caballero RBI single — a wild pitch, and a two-out walk.

Still, that marked the first time since April 21 in New York the Rays scored first.

They extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Rortvedt led off with a single and Palacios, elevated to the leadoff spot with Yandy Diaz out of the lineup, homered.

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