White Sox Snap 7-Game Losing Streak
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Omar Vizquel, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko each drove in two runs and the Chicago White Sox stopped a seven-game losing streak with a 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.
The White Sox had been outscored 11-2 in losing the first three games of the four-game series against Tampa Bay.
Gavin Floyd (2-1) allowed two runs in six innings. He struck out seven and hit two batters.
Sam Fuld had two RBIs for the Rays, who lost for just the second time in 10 games.
Juan Pierre opened the first with a bunt single and went to third when Rays third baseman Felipe Lopez was charged with an error for an errant throw to first on the play. Pierre then scored to make it 1-0 on Vizquel's grounder.
Pierre also started a four-run third against Jeff Niemann (0-3) with another bunt single. Vizquel doubled home a run, Konerko and Adam Dunn each had RBI singles and Pierzynski hit a sacrifice fly.
Fuld cut the Rays' deficit to 5-2 in the fourth with a two-run single.
Chicago took a 6-2 lead on Pierzynski's RBI single in the fifth. Quentin extended the advantage to 8-2 on a two-run double during the sixth.
Konerko added an RBI single in the eighth.
Niemann lasted just 4 2-3 innings, giving up six runs and six hits. He struck out four, walked two, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch.
Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon went 1 for 4 in his return after missing the previous three games because of a left ring finger injury. He picked up career hit 2,585, which moved him past Reggie Jackson into 79th place all-time, on his third-inning single.
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
