In game one of a four game series between two playoff hopefuls, the Rays came out victorious thanks to a ninth inning solo home run from Evan Longoria that broke a 2-2 tie and led to a 3-2 win for the Rays.
The Rays began the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth from Carlos Pena that drove in Ben Zobrist, but that lead didn't last for long. James Shields hit Dayan Viciedo with a pitch in the bottom of the frame while the bases were loaded, but was able to get out of the jam and avoid further damage.
A Luke Scott solo home run in the top of the fifth inning gave the Rays the lead once again, but Paul Konerko tied the game for the White Sox when he hit a grounded into a double play that scored Alejandro De Aza.
The scoring stopped there, though, as neither team was able to score for the next three innings until Evan Longoria hit a solo shot off Brett Myers in the top of the ninth. With a one run lead, Fernando Rodney came in to the game and got each of the first two batters out before allowing a single to Kevin Youkilis. However, he sealed the game and earned the save with a strikeout of Adam Dunn.
The win keeps the AL East title four games out of reach and keeps the Rays just two games behind the Oakland A's for the final wild card spot.
Game two of the four game series will take place at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday night.