ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Noah Schultz showed determination as he exited the mound after striking out Victor Mesa Jr. to end the sixth inning. Entering the game in the second as the main pitcher, Schultz delivered five solid innings, giving up only one run. However, the Chicago White Sox struggled offensively, losing 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays amidst 23,309 spectators at Tropicana Field.
Schultz exhibited impressive control, surrendering just three hits. He stood out with four strikeouts, maintaining a clean sheet by not allowing any walks after following opener Jordan Hicks, who efficiently retired the side in the first inning. Schultz commented on his performance, noting his efficient use of pitches during the 67-pitch outing: “Was pretty efficient and didn’t throw a ton of pitches. Something we’ve really been trying to hammer in here the last month or so. Being efficient and getting ahead of guys really makes a difference.”
Schultz credited the game plan and coordination with catcher Edgar Quero as key components of his performance. Sox manager Will Venable praised Schultz’s tactical pitching: “I thought he was really good with the righties with the sinker glove side, and then used the cutter off of that as well. He dominated the inside part of the zone and obviously threw a ton of strikes.”
The game saw its only scoring in the fifth inning. Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca commenced the inning with a single to left field, stole second, moved to third on a grounder, and ultimately scored on Nick Fortes’ crucial single to left with an exit velocity of 70 mph. Despite being limited to five hits by four Sox pitchers — including singles by Yandy Díaz, Jonny DeLuca, Nick Fortes, Chandler Simpson — the Rays managed to secure the win. The Sox, also held to five hits, faced their seventh scoreless game this season.
Edgar Quero contributed two hits, with a notable single to shallow left field in the fifth inning, enabling Braden Montgomery to advance from first to third. A subsequent throwing error allowed Quero to reach second base. Sam Antonacci then lined a ball sharply but directly at the right fielder, resulting in the third out. Antonacci reflected, “That was kind of our chance tonight. It’s part of the game. It all adds up eventually. I’m sure I’ll get a bloop hit and I’m sure I’ll line out hard again. You can’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen showcased skillful pitching, allowing only four hits, walking one, and striking out ten over six scoreless innings. Antonacci remarked on Rasmussen’s effective performance: “He attacked us with all of his pitches today. Stuff was working and just out-competed us today. We didn’t do a bad job but we got away from our game plan and kind of chased him up. But that’s going to happen with an elite pitcher like him.”
In the ninth inning against Rays closer Bryan Baker, Miguel Vargas lined out to left field, and Randal Grichuk struck out after hitting a hard but foul ball. Manager Venable remarked, “Just a really good baseball game. Two good teams playing there, obviously pitching on both sides was outstanding. Not a lot of action offensively. Good defense. But yeah, a really well-played game.”
Roch Cholowsky heads to Winston-Salem
Roch Cholowsky, the top pick in the 2026 draft, is set to join High A Winston-Salem on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against Asheville. Sox director of player development Paul Janish commented, “I think it’s the best place for him to get going. If I’m being honest about Roch’s ability, he could go to pretty much any level we have. It’s important to remember the trajectory with the hope for the major leagues at some point; we are just introducing him to the pro level. It’s the first time he’ll have the opportunity to play six games in one week, right? So, just getting him going with the understanding you have to take into consideration the fact that he’s got to get built up. For us, it just makes the most sense.”
In injury-rehab news, pitcher Drew Thorpe delivered a strong performance, allowing one hit and striking out five in four scoreless innings with Double-A Birmingham against Chattanooga on Thursday. He is scheduled to pitch five innings for the Barons on Wednesday before advancing to Triple A. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Thorpe has given up three runs over eight innings in three outings, making starts in the Arizona Complex League White Sox, Winston-Salem, and Birmingham. Janish shared optimistic remarks about Thorpe’s recovery: “All signs point to good for him so far.”