The Chicago White Sox squandered a late lead, suffering a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in front of 10,128 at Rate Field.
The Sox entered the ninth ahead by one run. But the Rays scored three times in the inning on the way to sweeping the Sox (6-13).
Junior Caminero hit a tying home run leading off the ninth against Sox closer Seranthony Domínguez. Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew bases-loaded walks against reliever Lucas Sims.
Here are three takeaways from Rate Field.
1. It was a tough ninth inning for the Sox bullpen.
White Sox closer Seranthony Domínguez hands the ball to manager Will Venable as he is pulled from the game in the ninth inning on April 16, 2026, at Rate Field. (Michael Reaves/Getty)
Domínguez found trouble right away against Caminero, beginning the at-bat with three straight balls. He got a sinker off the plate for a called strike and then went back to the pitch again. Caminero connected for the solo home run that just got over the left-field wall.
Domínguez struck out Cedric Mullins, but the Rays then loaded the bases with a single, a walk and a batter getting hit by a pitch.
“I think it’s one of those where he didn’t have his best stuff,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “He wasn’t able to command the ball.”
Sims entered and struck out Jake Fraley looking on a pitch that initially was called a ball on a 3-2 count but was overturned to a strike on a challenge. But Feduccia walked, giving the Rays a 4-3 lead. And Walls followed with another walk, extending the lead.
Those runs were charged to Domínguez, who suffered his second blown save of the season while falling to 1-2.
“Every time I come in, I just try to do my thing,” Domínguez said, “and unfortunately I didn’t do my job today, but I have to do it next time.”
2. The Sox made the most of their ABS challenges.
The Rays had a chance for a potential big inning earlier in the game, loading the bases with two outs in the third.
Sox pitcher Anthony Kay, who followed opener Jordan Leasure, fell behind in the count 2-0 to Yandy Díaz. The next pitch was initially called a ball. Catcher Edgar Quero challenged, and it was overturned to a strike.
The following pitch again was called a ball. Quero challenged, and again it was overturned to a strike. With a 2-2 count, Kay got Díaz to pop out to end the inning.
“That was huge, especially with the bases loaded,” Kay said.
Quero said part of his strategy when challenging includes, “recognize the zone, recognize where I am in the box behind the plate. And at the same time, trying to be a little bit lucky with the pitch.”
Quero was also helpful at the plate with an RBI double in the sixth that at the time gave the Sox a 2-1 lead. It was his first extra-base hit and first RBI of the season.
“I finally got my first RBI,” Quero said. “I can help the team a little bit and keep doing my stuff and get better to keep helping the team.”
3. Everson Pereira ‘feeling good at the plate’ while contributing against his former team.
White Sox right fielder Everson Pereira hits a home run against the Rays in the eighth inning on April 16, 2026, at Rate Field. (Michael Reaves/Getty)
The Sox acquired Pereira as part of an offseason trade with the Rays. The outfielder returned from the injured list (left ankle sprain) Tuesday and hit a three-run home run in the third inning of the 8-5 loss in the series opener.
Pereira connected for a solo home run in the eighth inning Wednesday, putting the Sox briefly ahead 3-2. Pereira went 2-for-3 with a walk in the game.
“I’m feeling good at home plate too,” Pereira said through an interpreter. “I’m just trying to help the team.”
Pereira appeared in 23 games with the Rays last season. He said playing against them for the first time “was the same as any other team. A different team and we’re just trying to beat them.”
The Sox showed some power in the series — they hit two home runs Tuesday (Pereira and Munetaka Murakami) and two Thursday (Miguel Vargas and Pereira) — but big hits as a whole eluded the team.
“We haven’t had a ton to show for it, but we’ve been hitting the ball hard,” Venable said. “Whether it’s too much on the ground or at guys. (The Rays) have really good defenders, too, made a ton of plays.
“Stringing some good things for the offense. Still just missing that big hit to put some of these crooked numbers up there. But just have to keep going.”