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Rays hope to continue surge with 4-game sweep of White Sox

Apr 21, 2011 - 2:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays hope to go over .500 for the first time this season this evening when they try to complete their first-ever four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

After opening the year 0-6 and 1-8, the Rays have reeled off victories in eight of their last nine games to get back to .500. The impressive stretch continued on Wednesday, as Wade Davis pitched seven strong innings and John Jaso belted a two-run homer, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-1 victory.

Davis (2-2) allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two. Joel Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth pitched one perfect inning apiece, with Farnsworth getting three straight ground balls in the ninth to earn his fourth save.

Philip Humber (1-2) took the loss, giving up all four Tampa Bay runs in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed six hits and two walks, striking out two.

Carlos Quentin hit a solo homer for the White Sox, who dropped their seventh straight game.

The Rays have joined the 1991 Seattle Mariners as the only teams since 1900 to reach .500 in April after opening the season with six losses.

"It's a great feeling after the rough start that we had," said Tampa Bay right fielder Matt Joyce, who had two doubles. "To come back is really a testament to the talent that's on this team."

Hoping to stay in the win column tonight, the Rays will turn to right-hander Jeff Niemann, who is 0-2 with a 6.32 ERA. After getting battered by the White Sox on April 10, Niemann pitched well his last time out against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, but did not get a decision, despite surrendering three runs and eight hits in seven innings of a 4-3 win.

"Yeah, definitely [getting there]. Going out there and having some success during the regular season gives you some confidence going out there for the next one," Niemann said.

That effort had followed up a horrible outing against the White Sox, who reached him for five runs in just 2 2/3 innings. He is 2-3 lifetime against the Pale Hose with a 4.18 ERA in five starts.

Chicago, meanwhile, will turn to righty Gavin Floyd to get them off the schneid. Floyd suffered his first loss of the season on Saturday against Anaheim, as he gave up six runs and eight hits in six innings, dropping him to 1-1 to go along with a 4.29 ERA.

Floyd beat Niemann in that contest earlier in the year and is 3-1 in four starts against the Rays with a 2.48 ERA.

Tampa lost three of four in Chicago earlier in the year, but has split its last 10 matchups with the White Sox.