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Rays-White Sox: Now It's A Series

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Rays pitcher Matt Garza in game three against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS in Chicago.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2008

Everyone said playoff baseball was different. The Rays listened, sure, but how different was it going to be? After all, they mowed down the Chicago White Sox with customary flair in the first two games of the American League Division Series.

Sunday night, things changed.

Sunday night, it became a series.

Chicago subdued the Rays 5-3 in Game 3 at U.S. Cellular Field, and can pull even with another victory Monday night, forcing a decisive meeting back at Tropicana Field.

If there were thoughts of the Rays sweeping through Chicago, spraying some more champagne and quickly moving to the next round, they disappeared early on.

Rain forced the game into a 20-minute delay. It was a slower game – the grass already was thicker and tailored for the White Sox's more lumbering style – and the weather demanded long sleeves.

The White Sox looked very much at home. And they looked very much like a veteran team, getting stronger as the game wore on, making adjustments to Matt Garza's power game, staying patient, hitting the ball where it was pitched.

Known for their power (league-leading 235 home runs during the regular season), the White Sox stole three bases – and two of them led directly to Chicago runs.

The Rays, after an aggressive start (five baserunners through the first two innings and a 1-0 lead), began to go quietly. Against White Sox left-handed starter John Danks, the Rays reached base only three times in five innings before B.J. Upton unloaded a two-run homer in the seventh, finally giving some juice to Tampa Bay's offense.

But the hole was too deep. The White Sox bullpen took over from there. Closer Bobby Jenks allowed a two-out single to Upton in the ninth inning, but Carlos Pena was retired on a three-pitch strikeout, ending things resoundingly.

Garza was on his game early, notably striking out designed hitter Jim Thome with fastball after fastball, including one that reached 98 mph.

The White Sox's starting nine was 1-for-8 in its first look at Garza.

The second time around? The White Sox were 4-for-7, including a get-even double by Thome and a two-run double by Dewayne Wise down the left-field line.

Garza began falling behind batters consistently. He just didn't look comfortable, and that fact was confirmed when he called out the groundskeeper to work on the mound, where his plant foot was slipping.

Whatever dominance he displayed in the early innings, it just wasn't going to return. He only had one truly poor inning – Chicago's three-run fourth – but one poor inning was all the White Sox needed.

That's the thing about playoff baseball.

Momentum is getting a 1-2-3 inning. A slump is two shaky at-bats.

It all changes in a heartbeat. It's never easy, even when it looks easy.

Now it's to the point where both teams have traded blows, felt each other out, gotten deep into the opposing bullpen, exploited strengths and exposed weaknesses.

Now it's a series.

It was a "black-out'' at U.S. Cellular Field. The fans all wore black garb, and the look definitely fit the damp, dank atmosphere. Tampa Bay's outlook may have dimmed, but only a little bit.

It can change back quickly – and send the Rays to the AL Championship Series – if righty Andy Sonnanstine continues his big-game tendencies on Monday night. But the White Sox counter with 17-game winner Gavin Floyd, so who knows?

It was never going to be easy.

Now it's a series.

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