Rays relievers Jalen Beeks, Garrett Cleavinger have frustrating day

CHICAGO — Jalen Beeks didn’t feel he pitched that badly in Sunday’s mess of a ninth inning, in which the White Sox eventually scored seven runs and a 12-9 walkoff win, and there was something to that.

Of the four hits Beeks gave up, only one — the one-out, rally-starting single by Eloy Jimenez — was considered hard hit (an exit velocity of at least 95 mph), and three came on two-strike pitches.

But the four hits (Jimenez single, 107.8 mph; Jake Burger bloop double, 69.6; Elvis Andrus single, 81.2; Lenyn Sosa single, 92.3), plus the batter Beeks hit and a sac fly, were enough to launch a comeback by the previously sagging Sox, who finished if off against Garrett Cleavinger.

“The main goal is to get ahead early, throw strikes early, which I did that,” Beeks said. “They were putting it in good places. I didn’t feel like I was getting ripped, by any means. They weren’t just lacing the ball around the field. They were putting it in good spots and making contact. So the thing that I’m taking away is I’ve got to do better 0-2, maybe get some swing-and-misses in those situations.”

Cleavinger had a similar issue, coming in to face lefty Adam Haseley with two on and two outs, and he gave up a soft single (68.2 mph) that dropped into shallow center and scored the tying run. Then he gave up the very well-hit three-run walkoff homer (108.3 mph, 407 feet) to Andrew Vaughn.

“Ultimately we just didn’t execute pitches. Credit the White Sox; they came back, they continued to have really good at-bats,” manager Kevin Cash said. “We got ahead of guys and couldn’t put them away; we fell behind guys and they got on base. It happens. It’s unfortunate. But we move on.”

The Rays are also hoping for some more consistency from Beeks. Prior to Sunday, he had three scoreless outings, allowing just one hit. But the one before that, April 21 against the Sox, he walked five while getting only two outs.

For the season, Beeks is 0-2, 7.43 in 13 1/3 innings over 10 games, allowing 11 hits and eight walks with eight strikeouts.

“His walks and strikeouts are kind of right at the same level; that’s generally not his MO,” Cash said. “Early in the season, I know that these guys are going to continue to bust through it and get themselves in the right position. We’ll give him the ball the next time he’s needed.”

Bullpen shuffle, continued

Reliever Javy Guerra officially rejoined the team after being acquired in trade Saturday from Milwaukee, and Calvin Faucher was optioned to Triple-A.

Guerra was pleased to return, given his 2022 success with the Rays, and his struggles this season with the Brewers, who designated him for assignment.

“I was very surprised to be back here,” he said. “I’m very happy. Happy to be here with the guys that I know already.”

Cash said they’re hoping Guerra can pick up where he was after being acquired in April 2022, going 2-1, 3.38 in 17 big-league games and 2-0, 1.74 in 43 at Triple-A.

“He did some really good things for us last year, made improvements throughout the entire time he was a Ray,” Cash said. “So we’ll put him in the bullpen mix and know that he’s got a big fastball that if it’s over the plate, he can help us.”

Guerra will wear No. 99, the first Rays player to do so.

Faucher’s mix of pitches, movement and velocity is impressive — Cash saying during spring training “his stuff was stupid good” — but after a couple of erratic outings, including in the opener role, the Rays want him to find ways to refine it.

While Faucher will pitch in some games for Durham, the focus will be on work in the bullpen. “We’re all very bullish on Calvin,” Cash said. “I know the results didn’t come as easy maybe as he would have liked, but the message was pretty simple.”

Miscellany

Shortstop Wander Franco got his second day off of the season, Cash opting as he did in mid-April to do so prior to a team off-day to maximize rest. Yandy Diaz, who left Friday’s game with a sore left shoulder (though he did pinch hit Saturday) also was off. … Luke Raley had his second two-homer game of the season and has seven total. … Lefty Josh Fleming is slated for bulk innings Tuesday against the Pirates, either starting or behind an opener. … First-pitch temperature Sunday was 46. … The Rays are 6-1 against the Sox, one win shy of what would have been their second season series sweep of seven-plus games. They were 7-0 against the Royals in 2008.

• • •

Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.