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Rays try to claim seventh straight home series win

Jun 1, 2008 - 1:27 PM Chi White Sox (30-25) at Tampa Bay (34-22) 1:40 p.m. EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- ST PETERSBERG, Florida (Ticker) -- Standout play at home has helped the Tampa Bay Rays maintain their surprising ascent atop the American League East - a notion that figures to get tested when the struggling Andy Sonnastine takes the mound.

Sonnastine attempts to put aside his recent woes on Sunday when the Rays close out their four-game set against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Tampa Bay, winners of 19 of its last 22 home games, is on the verge of winning its seventh straight home series if it can win Sunday.

While many of his fellow starting pitchers are basking in their recent success, Sonnastine (6-3, 4.98 ERA) has been unable to join them, accounting for two of the Rays' last three losses over the team's last 12 games.

The righthander surrendered seven runs - just two earned - and 10 hits over five frames in Tuesday's 12-6 home loss to Texas.

He'll be opposed by Mark Buehrle (2-6, 5.27), who is also hoping to rebound after suffering through his shortest outing since Opening Day. The lefthander allowed seven runs - six earned - over five innings at Cleveland in an 8-2 loss on Tuesday.