The Chicago White Sox failed to gain any ground in the AL Central on Saturday, falling to the Tampa Bay Rays, 10-4. The loss makes the four-game series 2-1 in favor of Tampa Bay heading into Sunday's finale. After that, the White Sox will only have three games against the Cleveland Indians and need help from the Detroit Tigers to make it into the playoffs.
Chris Sale lasted just over three innings for the White Sox, giving up five runs off of seven hits, including a Jeff Keppinger home run in the third. Deunte Heath, Dylan Axelrod and Leyson Septimo all allowed runs for the White Sox, with Axelrod allowing three of them.
Orlando Hudson was the pinch hitter for Paul Konerko in the eighth and managed to blast a grand slam for Chicago, but the scoring burst was too little, too late. Matt Moore was given the win for the Rays. He lasted five-plus innings and allowed just one hit and three walks against four strikeouts.
Detroit lost on Friday, which allowed the White Sox to keep it close, but the Tigers managed a big win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday to make it a two-game lead in the AL Central.