Rays win 8th straight, down White Sox 3-2

The Chicago White Sox had their chances Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, but ultimately were unable to execute. The Rays took advantage and notched their eighth straight victory and gained another game in the AL Wild Card standings. The White Sox, who were tied with the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central lead just 36 hours ago, are now sitting two games back.

Evan Longoria connected on his 14th home run of the year in the ninth inning against Brett Myers to give the Rays a 3-2 edge.

Rays starter James Shields got himself in trouble a few times, but was able to work his way out of it each time. He gave up six hits and four walks in 6⅓ innings, but the two runs were all the White Sox would get from him.

White Sox starter Jake Peavy threw 7⅓ strong innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out six. He walked only one batter.

The Rays thought they had a run on the board in the second inning on a Jake Peavy balk, but first base umpire Chad Fairchild's call was overruled when the umpires discussed it. They would first dent the plate in the fourth inning when Ben Zobrist led off with a double. He would later score on Carlos Pena's sacrifice fly.

The White Sox loaded the bases in the fourth on two walks and a single, and scored their first run when Dayan Viciedo was hit by a pitch. Luke Scott led off the next inning with a towering home run to right field, giving the Rays the lead once again. The White Sox had them loaded again in the bottom of the fifth, but while Paul Konerko's no-out, bases-loaded ground ball was enough to tie the game once more, it also cost the Sox two outs and squashed the rally.