CHICAGO (AP) - Rays manager Joe Maddon knew he had to put Sunday’s mistake-filled 9-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox in perspective.
Tampa Bay committed four errors in the sixth inning alone.
“I have to be somewhat sane in regards to we don’t make many mistakes, so it’s gonna happen once in a while and it happened today,” Maddon said. “We’ve done so many wonderful things and the defense this whole season has been spectacular.
“You can’t expect perfection.”
Jose Abreu drove in four runs and set a major league rookie record for RBIs through the end of April to lead White Sox.
Abreu, who had a two-run home run in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh, has 31 RBIs. Albert Pujols had the previous RBI mark of 27 in 2001.
The homer was his major league-leading 10th and extended his own record for home runs by a rookie through April.
In his major league debut, Scott Carroll (1-0) gave up two runs, one earned, in 7 1-3 innings after he was called up from Triple-A Charlotte to fill in for injured ace Chris Sale.
Carroll, 29, had Tommy John surgery in 2012.
“I’m on Cloud Nine right now,” he said. “It’s awesome to have my friends and family here to support me and just be able to experience with me. I couldn’t have asked for a better showing. I know I was capable of it, but it’s just awesome to finally get the opportunity and showcase my skills here at this level.”
Rays starter David Price (3-2) allowed eight runs, six earned, in six innings.
Trailing 1-0, the White Sox scored five runs in the sixth and four runs in the seventh.
Gordon Beckham reached on an error in the sixth and scored from second when Price threw away the ball after fielding Marcus Semien’s bunt single. Adam Eaton scored when right fielder Wil Myers fumbled the ball after Price’s throwing error.
“I pride myself on being an athlete and fielding my position,” Price said. “It’s a play I have to make.”
Abreu then hit a two-run home run for a 4-1 lead. He set the rookie record for homers by the end of April on Friday with his ninth- a walk-off grand slam against the Rays.
“He’s pretty strong,” Maddon said of Abreu. “I’ve been talking about how impressive he’s been this series. He is good, he’s gonna get better.”
Dayan Viciedo then doubled and scored on shortstop Yunel Escobar’s throwing error for a 5-1 lead.
Semien doubled to extend the White Sox lead to 6-1 in the seventh and knocked Price out of the game. Abreu hit a two-run single and Ramirez added an RBI single for a 9-1 lead.
The Rays went ahead 1-0 in the fifth when David DeJesus singled and scored on right fielder Viciedo’s two-out error.
The Rays scored their second run in the eighth on Evan Longoria’s single.
But that was too little offense for a team that committed four errors in one inning.
“It’s an unfortunate day,” Maddon said. “It happens, it happens to the best of them and it happened to us today. You just have to utilize the garbage can and just move it along.”
NOTES: Sale (forearm strain) played catch before Sunday’s game, but when he’ll return from the 15-day DL is uncertain. He is eligible to come off the DL on Saturday. … To make room for Carroll on the 25-man roster, the White Sox optioned RHP Erik Johnson to Triple-A on Saturday. OF Avisail Garcia (left shoulder) was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Carroll on the 40-man roster. … Jake Odorizzi (1-2, 6.52) will start Monday for the Rays. Andre Rienzo (1-0, 4.91) will pitch for the White Sox.
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