Rays-White Sox: Late Inning Heroics Return For Rays In Chi-Town

Last night before the Rays loaded the bags on Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, Jenks responded with a strike out of Jason Bartlett to end the ballgame.

Trailing 2-1 with no one out and the bases loaded in the top of the 9th tonight, Jenks walked Pat Burrell, bringing home Jason Bartlett. Carlos Pena followed by launching a sacrifice fly into right field to score Evan Longoria and Tampa Bay surged ahead 3-2.

JP Howell checked in and after surrendering a hit to AJ Pierzynski, he struck out two Chicago batters before grabbing a hot shot by Gordon Beckham to end the ball game.

The game featured a tremendous pitchers duel between Jeff Niemann and Clayton Richard. Niemann went a strong eight innings for Tampa Bay, scattering eight hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. Richard countered with eight innings of four hit ball and only one run allowed.

Niemann was lucky enough to see his offense do for him what they failed to do for David Price and that's generate runs when they had the opportunity. With Richard pitching a gem, those chances were few and far between, but Tampa Bay managed to cash in on their chances in this one. Niemann earned his team leading ninth victory of the season.

On an interesting note, the Rays decided to rest both Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford tonight, but both players making appearances late in the game. Could this be adding fuel to the fire that both may be made available on July 31?

One would have to wonder, but Tampa Bay managed to pull within 3-and-a-half games of the Boston Red Sox for the wild card while maintaining 4 and-a-half games back of the now first place New York Yankees. The Rays and Yankess have matched victories over the last 10 games, each going 7-3, which has prevented Tampa Bay from gaining ground on the Evil Empire.

They'll get their opportunity next week when the two teams square off at Tropicana Field.

For now, two more games remain in Chicago before heading off to Canada for another date with the Blue Jays.