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Rays aim to slow down Abreu in finale with White Sox

Apr 28, 2014 - 2:33 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jose Abreu will try to add to his rookie RBI total on Monday night as the Chicago White Sox conclude a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Abreu hit his 10th homer of the season and drove in four runs in Sunday's 9-2 win. His 31 runs batted in are a Major League rookie record for the month of April and the most by a White Sox player in any month since Frank Thomas had 31 in August of 2003.

Abreu is one RBI shy of matching Smead Jolley's White Sox rookie record of 32 set in July of 1930.

The slugger's efforts helped Scott Carroll win in his MLB debut, though the hurler took care of his own business as well by allowing two runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 7 1/3 innings.

"He knew what he was doing out there. He threw strikes, let his defense make plays for him. It's special, everyone is happy for him," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.

The White Sox have won five of their last eight games.

Tampa Bay didn't help its own efforts on Sunday, committing four errors in the sixth innings, a Rays' single-inning record. Starter David Price and Wil Myers committed errors on the same play. Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar also had errors in the frame.

"We haven't made that many mistakes all year, let alone in one inning. It is an unfortunate day, but it happens to the best of them," said Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Price was tagged for eight runs -- six earned -- on nine hits over six-plus innings. The southpaw struck out seven and walked one in the setback.

The Rays have lost four of their past five games and hope that rookie Jake Odorizzi can get on track tonight. The righty has allowed 14 runs over 13 1/3 innings in three starts since winning his season debut on April 4 versus Texas with six scoreless innings.

Odorizzi followed up consecutive losses with a no-decision versus Minnesota on Wednesday. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings and was charged with four runs -- all in the fourth frame -- on five hits and three walks.

It continued a trend for the 24-year-old, as opponents are hitting only .121 against him the first time through the lineup, but .429 the second time.

Odorizzi, who has a 6.52 earned run average on the season, will face the White Sox for the first time.

Right-hander Andre Rienzo will make his second start of the season for the White Sox and third appearance. He filled in for an injured Felipe Paulino on Wednesday and won a 6-4 decision at Detroit. He yielded four runs on five hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings, retiring nine of the final 10 batters faced.

The 25-year-old has never faced the Rays.

The Rays won the final five of their seven meetings with the White Sox last season, splitting four encounters in Chicago.