By Eric Sachs

The Tampa Bay Rays had an eight game winning streak snapped as the White Sox defeated the Rays 3-1 on Friday night in Chicago.  Jeremy Hellickson didnt have the sharpest of stuff but kept the Rays in this game only giving up three runs with just two being earned but was outdueld by Gavin Floyd and the Sox bullpen.

After puting together an eight game win streak the Rays were not able to muster up much against Gavin Floyd. Floyd gave up an early run off a Ben Zobrist solo home run in the first inning. Floyd would get into a jam in the second and third inning allowing two runners to reach in both innings and stranding them all. Floyd settled down to five strong innings, only giving up two hits while striking out six Rays hitters.

Chicago would claw back into the game in the third inning putting together a little rally that was capped by a Kevin Youkilis single to score Gordon Beckham tying the game at 1-1. The tie would not last for long as Alex Rioscame up to lead off the fourth inning and he took Hellickson deep to left field for a 2-1 lead and the Sox never looked back.

Tampa Bay just couldnt get anything going with the sticks and in the sixth inning the White Sox continued to add to thier lead. A lead off double by Rios would set Alexei Ramirez to extend the Chicago lead to 3-1 with a Rios scoring single.

On a night when the Orioles and Angels already won this Rays loss hurts the team and there chances of sneaking in to that final wild card spot, but the season and magic may not be over just yet.

The Rays will face the White Sox in game three of this four game series as Matt Moore will face Chris Sale for the White Sox.  Catch all the action on 620am WDAE beginning at 3:30pm with a 4:10pm first pitch.