Chicago, IL – Adam Dunn clubbed a two-run homer and Jeff Keppinger had two hits and an RBI to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Paul Konerko and Conor Gillaspie also drove in one run apiece for the White Sox, winners of two straight.
Chris Sale (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win. Addison Reed stranded a runner in the ninth to pick up his seventh save of the season.
"I think the last couple starts he's been in and out of consistency. Tonight, he worked his way through it, and in the end you're look at what you would expect from him," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
Jose Lobaton hit a solo homer and Evan Longoria added an RBI single for the Rays, who had won five of six entering the game. Jeremy Hellickson (1-2) was tagged for all five runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out eight and walked four.
Tampa Bay pushed a run across in the first as Longoria singled home Desmond Jennings. Jennings worked a leadoff walk and moved to second on a Ben Zobrist groundout before coming around on Longoria's base hit.
The White Sox countered with three runs of their own in the first. Alejandro De Aza came around on Keppinger's double to center field. After Alex Rios walked, Konerko roped a single to left field to score Keppinger. Gillaspie followed with a sacrifice fly.
"It's kind of frustrating to fall behind early, but I feel good. I just have to make better pitches," Hellickson said.
Lobaton clubbed a solo homer to left to make it 3-2 in the fourth.
Dunn's blast in the sixth accounted for the final margin.
Game Notes
Dunn has four homers this season ... Hellickson has 26 strikeouts over five starts this season ... The White Sox are 7-1 when leading after seven innings this season ... Sale has 29 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings pitched over three starts against the Rays.
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