Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) celebrates with center fielder Manuel Margot after the team defeated the Chicago White Sox during a baseball game Sunday, April 23, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Rays Set Franchise Record, Sweeping the White Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays (19-3) completed the sweep of the Chicago White Six (7-15) in a 4-1 victory at Tropicana Field. The Win keeps the Rays unbeaten at home and completes their fifth series sweep to open the season.

The Rays are a perfect 13-0 at Tropicana Field, the longest home-winning streak in franchise history.

It was “Bark at the Park” for Sunday afternoon’s matchup. However, the real bite behind the bark came from dominant pitching and a continuous rain of home runs in a dominant performance over the White Sox.

Hot Hitting

Tampa Bay wasted no time at the plate. Luke Raley took a first-pitch breaking ball for a sharp two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the second.

The Rays have homered in the first two innings of every game thus far. They have quickly extended their homerun streak to 22 games to start the season.

Tampa would strike again in the bottom of the third inning. An opposite-field blast from Harold Ramirez got him his fifth homer of the season (10th RBI).

Lights Out Defense

The Rays would jump out to a 4-0 lead that would not be relinquished.

In Zack Eflin‘s return from the injured list with back tightness, he sailed through five innings of work with four strikeouts on 67 pitches. He allowed just one run on three hits.

Diving stops from first baseman, Yandy Diaz and outfielder Luke Raley, would complement the Ray’s defense.

Yonny Chirinos and Peter Fairbanks (0.00 ERA) combined for three strikeouts, surrendering no hits to finish the game.

Sunday’s game was summarized on the final pitch from Fairbanks: a 98-mph fastball on an 0-2 count chased by Andrew Vaughn.

History and Up Next

With Sunday’s win, the Rays tied the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-longest home winning streak to start a season since 1901. The 1907 New York Giants opened with 15 straight wins at home.

Only two teams in MLB’s modern era, the 1911 Tigers and 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, won more of their first 22 games (20-2).

Up next, the Rays host the defending World Series champions, the Houston Astros (12-10). The Astros are coming off a sweep of a hot Atlanta Braves (14-8) ball club.

About Jesse Simmons

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Sweet Sixteen

Tar Heels and Crimson Tide Advance to Face Off in Sweet Sixteen

Alabama and North Carolina will face off in the Men’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Sweet …