The Chicago White Sox (72-51) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (75-48) 7-5 on Friday night in a battle of first place teams at Tropicana Field. The Rays lead over the Yankees is down to four games for first place in the American League East.
The White Sox built a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Rays were able to rally back. A three-run bottom of the eighth for the Rays gave Tampa Bay the lead, thanks in large part due to a huge two-run single from Austin Meadows. Chicago kept fighting, and Tim Anderson hit a home run in the top of the ninth to tie the game. In the eleventh inning the White Sox got RBIs from Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu to get a 7-5 win
Michael Wacha allowed four runs, two of them earned, on eight hits while striking out nine and walking none in five innings. J.T. Chargois suffered a blown save after allowing the Tim Anderson home run in the ninth, before Andrew Kittredge (8-2, 1.57) took the loss after pitching the tenth and eleventh.
The Rays will now look to bounce back in the second game of the three game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins at 12:30 PM with Neil Solondz on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES