CHICAGO (AP) - Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer gave up home runs to the first two batters of the game then left due to right lateral forearm tightness and the Chicago White Sox beat the Rays 5-4 on Saturday night.
Alen Hanson hit his fourth home run on Archer’s second pitch of the game, and Yolmer Sanchez followed with his ninth homer to help the White Sox snap a four-game losing streak.
Archer threw just eight pitches, three for strikes, before Rays manager Kevin Cash and trainer Ron Porterfield checked on him and he left as a precaution.
Logan Morrison hit his sixth home run in six games and 35th of the season in the sixth for the Rays, who had won eight of 11 and were unable to climb above .500 for the first time since 59-58 on Aug. 11.
The White Sox had four home runs, including Avisail Garcia’s career-high 14th of the season, a two-run shot in the seventh, and Omar Narvaez’s solo shot.
Archer (9-8) reported tightness while warming up that carried into the game, according to the Rays, who entered three games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League. He became the third pitcher in Rays history to allow home runs to the first two batters in a game.
Austin Pruitt replaced Archer, whose 225 strikeouts rank second in the AL and third in the majors behind Boston’s Chris Sale (264) and Washington’s Max Scherzer (230). Archer is second in the league with 179 1/3 innings pitched and he leads the majors with 151 starts since June 1, 2013.
Carson Fulmer (1-1) allowed one run in two innings for his first major league victory. Juan Minaya hit a batter and allowed two singles before a run scored on a double play in the ninth. He struck out Morrison to earn his fourth save in five chances.
Garcia and Sanchez had three hits apiece for the White Sox, who hit back-to-back home runs to begin a game for just the third time in team history.
Rain delayed the game in the fourth inning for 1 hour, 18 minutes, knocking Pruitt and White Sox starter Carlos Rodon out of the game. Rodon allowed a run in four innings, and Pruitt gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings.
Kevin Kiermaier doubled, stole third and scored on Evan Longoria’s sacrifice fly in the third. Narvaez hit his second home run of the season in the fourth off Pruitt.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: RHPs Chase Whitley and Andrew Kittredge are expected to be recalled Sunday from Triple-A Durham to help the bullpen.
White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu (sore right elbow) missed a third straight game. He felt some discomfort hitting in the cage, but will possibly return Sunday, manager Rick Renteria said. . OF Leury García (sprained right thumb) went on the 10-day disabled list. An MRI showed a ligament aggravation. He was injured while falling on steps and trying to brace himself at Minnesota, Renteria said. . OF Rymer Liriano’s contract was purchased from Triple-A Charlotte.
UP NEXT
Rays RHP Matt Andriese (5-1, 3.38 ERA) will make his first start since June 10 while RHP Lucas Giolito (1-1, 2.77) will take the mound for Chicago in the series finale. Andriese (right hip stress reaction) was reinstated from the 60-day DL on Monday and threw three scoreless innings in relief against Kansas City. Giolito pitched seven shutout innings against Detroit to earn his first big league victory in his last start.
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