White Sox 3, Rays 1
Alex Rios belted his career-high 25th homer to snap a tie in the fourth inning and Gavin Floyd labored through five frames as host Chicago moved to within a game of first place in the American League Central.
Rios collected three hits and Kevin Youkilis and Alexei Ramirez added RBI singles for the White Sox, who snapped a three-game losing skid with just their second win in 10 outings. Chicago inched closer in the AL Central after first-place Detroit dropped a 4-2 decision to Minnesota earlier on Friday.
Ben Zobrist launched a two-out homer in the first inning for the Rays, who saw their season-high eight-game winning streak come to an end. Tampa Bay dropped three games behind Oakland in the race for the second wild card in the American League after the Athletics routed Seattle 8-2.
Rios snapped a 1-1 tie by lining a fastball from Jeremy Hellickson (9-11) just over the wall in left field. The blast gave Rios a career-best 89 RBIs.
Floyd (11-11) secured his fifth win in six decisions versus Tampa Bay despite issuing five walks. Four relievers bridged the gap to Addison Reed, who recorded the final two outs of the ninth inning for his 29th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Tampa Bay C Jose Molina missed his third straight game due to a right quad strain. ... Hellickson permitted three runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss. ... Jesse Crain relieved Floyd and struck out four in 2 2/3 innings.