Noah Schultz, a left-handed pitcher for the White Sox, exited the mound with a fist pump after retiring Victor Mesa Jr. to end the sixth inning. Schultz offered a strong performance in relief on Saturday at Tropicana Field.
Entering in the second inning as the bulk pitcher, Schultz allowed just one run over five innings. Despite his effort, the White Sox fell to the Rays 1-0 in front of 23,309 fans. Schultz conceded three hits, struck out four batters, and did not issue any walks. He followed opener Jordan Hicks, who set down all three batters he faced in the first inning.
“I was efficient and kept my pitch count low,” Schultz remarked about his 67-pitch performance. “We’ve emphasized efficiency and getting ahead in counts over the last month. It makes a noticeable impact.”
Schultz noted the importance of a solid game plan and coordination with catcher Edgar Quero. “He managed the glove side sinkers against righties well and utilized the cutter effectively,” said Sox manager Will Venable. “He dominated the inside zone and consistently threw strikes.”
The Rays secured their win with a run in the fifth inning. Center fielder Jonny DeLuca singled to left, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on Nick Fortes’ single, measuring an exit velocity of 70 mph. Despite being restricted to five hits by four White Sox pitchers, the Rays managed the only run of the game.
The White Sox offense also recorded five hits but failed to score, marking their seventh shutout loss of the season. Quero’s two hits, one allowing a runner to reach third, highlighted the effort. Braden Montgomery advanced to third on Quero’s single, which Quero himself extended into second due to a throwing error. Unfortunately, Sam Antonacci’s sharply hit ball found the right fielder to end the threat.
“That was our shot tonight,” Venable admitted. Antonacci added, “These things happen. I’ll eventually get lucky, and I’ll hit another line-out.”
Rays’ starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen was formidable, giving up just four hits, walking one, and fanning ten over six scoreless innings. “He challenged us with all his pitches,” Antonacci noted. “We deviated from our strategy and chased him a bit.”
In the ninth inning, against Rays closer Bryan Baker, Miguel Vargas and Randal Grichuk both hit well-struck balls. Vargas lined out to left, and Grichuk fouled one down the line before striking out to conclude the match.
Venable praised the game: “A quality baseball matchup between two good teams, marked by strong pitching and defense.”
Roch Cholowsky Moves to High-A
Shortstop Roch Cholowsky, drafted as the top pick in 2026, will report to High-A Winston-Salem. Paul Janish, Sox director of player development, stated, “He could play at any level. However, it’s important to ensure his progression towards the majors as he transitions to professional play.”
This move allows Cholowsky to prepare for playing a series of six games a week. It helps adjust to the demands of professional baseball.
Drew Thorpe’s Injury Rehab Progress
In rehab news, Drew Thorpe pitched four scoreless innings for Double-A Birmingham, allowing one hit and striking out five against Chattanooga. Scheduled to pitch five innings on Wednesday, Thorpe will then ascend to Triple-A. Having undergone Tommy John surgery, he has yielded three runs across eight innings in three appearances at different levels.
“Everything looks positive for Thorpe’s recovery,” affirmed Janish.
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