• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Resilient White Sox look to extend season

Oct 6, 2008 - 5:14 PM Tampa Bay at Chi White Sox American League Division Series 5:07 p.m. EDT Rays lead, 2-1

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox seem to thrive when pushed to the brink of elimination.

Gavin Floyd takes the hill on Monday when the White Sox try to keep their season alive against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Four of the American League Division Series.

This is not a new scenario for the White Sox.

Chicago won three straight games - including a one-game playoff - to reach the postseason for the first time since it won the World Series in 2005. The White Sox beat Detroit in a makeup game last Monday, and then defeated Minnesota on Tuesday to claim the American League Central crown.

"We put ourselves in a tough situation both times," said the said the 25-year-old Floyd, who allowed one earned run and five hits in six innings of the win over the Tigers. "So we've done it before and definitely capable of doing it again. I think we have the team to do it."

On Sunday, Chicago avoided a premature end to its season by recording a 5-3 victory. John Danks tossed 6 2/3 strong innings and Dewayne Wise drove in a pair of runs and stole a base to ensure that Chicago would live to play another day.

"Momentum is a day to day thing in baseball," said A.J. Pierzynski, who had two hits. "It's not like hockey, basketball, football. Baseball changes pitch by pitch, inning by inning. The bottom line is you have to find a way to win every inning."

The White Sox hope the momentum is heading their way. They have won four straight at home, and Rays manager Joe Maddon knows closing out the series will not be easy.

"They have faced some difficult moments recently in this ballpark and have done well," Maddon said. "So it's a bad assumption to think you are just going to come in here and beat up on them."

But Tampa Bay, which had never won more than 70 games prior to this season, is still confident.

"I don't think anyone in this clubhouse thinks we have lost any momentum," rookie third baseman Evan Longoria said. "It's just one game and one loss. I think, being up 2-1, we are still in the driver's seat."

The Rays send Andy Sonnanstine to the hill. Sonnanstine went 13-9 record with a 4.38 ERA in 32 starts during the regular season.

"(I'm) very excited for the opportunity to pitch tomorrow," Sonnanstine said. "I'm going to try to pitch to my strengths and hopefully have a great day."