Rays vs White Sox Box Score and Recap — September 11, 2025

The Chicago White Sox grabbed a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. That clinched the three-game series for Chicago.

Rookie pitcher Shane Smith led the way with a strong outing. Several hitters chipped in with timely hits, and the Sox played with real grit as they tried to avoid a third straight 100-loss season.

Tampa Bay just couldn’t seem to find their rhythm. They’ve now dropped five of six after what looked like a promising hot streak.

Shane Smith Shines in Commanding Start

Rookie right-hander Shane Smith really stole the show. He worked 5 2/3 shutout innings, scattered four hits, and walked just one.

Smith kept the Rays guessing all night. When he needed an out, he found a way to get it.

A Season of Steady Development

Smith improved his record to 6-7 with this win. The numbers only told part of the story, though.

He looked calm in tough spots and really seemed to trust his stuff. For a club rebuilding from the ground up, seeing a young pitcher handle pressure like that is a good sign.

White Sox Strike Early and Extend Late

Chicago wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, Colson Montgomery lined a single to drive in two runs.

Chase Meidroth and Curtis Mead had reached base back-to-back to set things up. That early spark set the tone.

Game-Changing Sixth Inning

The Sox led just 2-0 heading into the sixth. Then they broke it open with three more runs:

• Kyle Teel came off the bench and ripped a two-run single, keeping his on-base streak alive at 20 games.
• Michael A. Taylor followed with an RBI single to finish the rally.

The bullpen took care of things from there, locking down the final innings.

Tampa Bay’s Offensive Struggles Continue

The Rays came in with playoff hopes but couldn’t get much going at the plate. Their lone run came in the eighth, when Junior Caminero grounded out to score a runner off reliever Tyler Alexander.

From Hot Streak to Skid

Just last week, Tampa Bay had rattled off seven wins in a row. Now, after losing five of six, they’ve slipped to 72-74 and are staring at the possibility of a losing season.

Key Pitching Matchup and Bullpen Efficiency

Rays starter Ian Seymour dropped to 3-2 after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. He didn’t totally implode, but he just couldn’t get out of jams when it mattered.

The White Sox bullpen shut things down after Smith exited. Jordan Leasure closed it out with a spotless ninth, picking up his eighth save.

White Sox Fight to Avoid Another 100-Loss Season

Chicago’s record sits at 57-90, but this win gives them a little hope. With 15 games left, they need six more wins to dodge a third straight 100-loss year.

Young guys are hungry to make their mark for 2025, and you can feel the extra energy in the clubhouse right now.

Momentum for the Future

For Chicago, games like this feel like little previews of what could be ahead. Solid starting pitching stands out, and you can see up-and-coming hitters making their mark.

Veteran leadership matters, too. That mix might just be what they need to finally turn the corner next season.

The White Sox have reason to celebrate a strong series win. Meanwhile, the Rays are still searching for answers as they try to reignite their playoff push.

The season’s winding down, and both clubs face defining stretches. Chicago hopes to finish on a high note, while Tampa Bay’s fighting to get back their early-September spark.

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