White Sox 7, Rays 2: Big 6th leads Sox to 7th straight win

In what looked to be a tough match up on paper, Philip Humber threw a wonderful game and the White Sox offense hit James Shields hard in the 6th inning to give the Good Guys their 7th straight victory.

Hideki Matsui, playing in his first game as a Ray, got Tampa on the board first with a long two run homer in the 4th inning. James Shields seemingly had everything under control at the time, but the Sox got one back in the 5th on an Alexei Ramirez single.

Trailing 2-1 in the 6th, Adam Dunn led off with a walk. After Paul Konerko struck out, Alex Rios singled to right. A.J. Pierzynski took an 0-2 pitch off the dirt and rolled it into right field to tie the score. After a ball bounced away from catcher Jose Lobaton, A.J. took 2nd base. The Rays were forced to pull their infield in and Dayan Viciedo chopped one through the left side to score Rios. Ramirez followed with a gapper for a double to make it 4-2 Sox. Then it was Orlando Hudson's turn to keep the line moving with a line shot single to score Viciedo. Alejandro De Aza capped off the scoring when he beat out a potential double play allowing Ramirez to score. After all was said and done, the Sox plated 5 runs and led 6-2.

After the Matsui homer, Humber put the clamps on the Rays offense. He retired 10 of the last 12 batters he faced as Tampa didn't threaten again.

Dayan Viciedo gave the Sox an extra run in the 8th with an absolute bomb to deep center field. It was Viciedo's 11th homer of the season.

Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th respectively to give Humber his 2nd win of the season.

WP: Humber 2-2

LP: Shields 6-3

HR: Matsui (1), Viciedo (11)

* Paul Konerko's hitting streak stopped at 14 games as the Captain had a rough night at the plate. He struck out 3 times off of Shields and when he finally hit a ball hard off of J.P. Howell, it was right at shortstop Elliot Johnson to start a 6-4-3 double play. Adam Dunn struck out with 2 outs in the 9th, leaving Konerko on the on deck circle.

* Viciedo's homer gave the Sox a home run in 15 straight ballgames. It is the first time a White Sox team accomplished that since 2004.

* Viciedo was 3-4 on the evening. Ramirez and Rios had 2 hits a piece.

* The Sox have now won 11 of 12.

* The Royals beat the Indians tonight, moving the Sox into first place.

* Jose Quintana will face Alex Cobb as the Sox go for the sweep tomorrow at 12:10 PM.

Record: 28-22 | Box