2024 Sunburst Awards: Chicago White Sox games 36-38
Rays advance to 19-19 after three game series at Tropicana Field
“Sunburst Awards” is a series-by-series evaluation of player performance, where four different awards are given out after each series: Offensive player of the series, defensive player of the series, pitcher of the series, and highlight play of the series. This edition will be covering the 12th series of the season, where the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Chicago White Sox from May sixth through May eighth, a three game series at Tropicana Field.
The Rays look to get revenge on the White Sox and extend their winning streak in the middle of an important homestand.
Game 1: White Sox - 2 Rays - 8 (recap)
Game 2: White Sox - 1 Rays - 5 (recap)
Game 3: White Sox - 4 Rays - 1 (recap)
Offensive Sunburst Award: Jonny Deluca
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Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Deluca has had a hot start to his Rays career, and this series was another part of that. The former Dodger notched four RBI, four hits and a walk in the three game series. That included a two-run home run in the first game of the series.
Deluca now has 10 RBI in just seven games as a Ray.
Pitching Sunburst Award: Zack Eflin
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Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Eflin decided to switch to the moustache in game two of this series and it seemed to bode well for him as we saw classic Eflin on the mound. The ace went seven innings allowing just six hits and one run while striking out three to earn the win in game two.
Eflin has been inconsistent at the mound to start 2024, but with this performance he hopefully sets up to be more consistent in his future starts.
Eflin now matches Ryan Pepiot as the only Rays pitcher with three Sunburst Awards.
Defensive Sunburst Award: Richie Palacios
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Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Palacios earns his team leading third Defensive Sunburst with an impressive sliding play at second base in the second game of the series.
The former Cardinal, who typically has been in the outfield this season, saved a potential single in the fifth inning with the impressive grab and throw.
Palacios now has four Sunbursts on the year.
Highlight Sunburst Award: Rays Broadcast Crew
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Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Game three of this series did not have a lot going on, and in games like that (especially in this stage of the season) it’s important for an announcer crew to keep things interesting, and boy did Staats, BA, and Doug Waechter do that.
In these uneventful three scoreless innings to start game three, the crew discussed everything from Tropicana field nachos to hot foots.
Rays Broadcasters keeping us all entertained in a 0-0 game, a thread. pic.twitter.com/WEQQUKSeyA
— Drew (@drewcjohnson_) May 9, 2024
Conclusion
The Rays end their electric City Connect streak but fight back to .500 on the season, remaining in fourth place in the AL East behind the Boston Red Sox.
Tampa Bay will take an off day tomorrow and get set for a three game series against the Yankees on Friday, with first pitch set for 6:50.