Erick Fedde pitched effectively into the ninth inning and Andrew Benintendi provided key insurance with a two-run single in the eighth as the host Chicago White Sox topped the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
Fedde (2-0) dominated the Rays over 8 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with zero walks. He struck out nine, two off the career high he set Tuesday, while throwing 72 of his 108 pitches for strikes.
Chicago entered the weekend with three victories in its first 25 games, the worst start in franchise history. The White Sox doubled their win total behind a revived attack that produced a season-best nine runs on Friday and eight more Saturday.
While Sunday’s offensive output was their lowest of the weekend, the White Sox made the most of 12 hits, including three each from Gavin Sheets and Eloy Jimenez and two from Benintendi.
Tampa Bay chased Fedde from the game on Harold Ramirez’s RBI double in the ninth. Jordan Leasure retired the final two hitters for his first save.
The Rays took a 1-0 lead on Isaac Paredes’ solo home run leading off the fourth inning, his second homer in the past four games.
Chicago responded with some small ball in the bottom half. The White Sox collected four singles in the inning, including successive two-out RBI hits off the bats of Robbie Grossman and Danny Mendick.
That support fueled Fedde, who delivered his second straight quality start and third start in a row with one run or fewer allowed.
Back in the major leagues after winning the equivalent of the Cy Young award in Korea’s KBO last season, Fedde came within two outs of his first career complete game.
Rays right-hander Zack Littell pitched solidly but was outdueled by Fedde. Littell (1-2) scattered two runs and eight hits in six innings with six strikeouts. He didn’t walk a batter for the fourth time in five April starts.
Richie Palacios and Paredes had two hits for the Rays.
Tampa Bay’s Amed Rosario started at three different defensive positions during the series — right field, second base, and shortstop.
