Mon Oct 6 20:22:53 2008

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Rays roll over White Sox, punch ticket to ALCS

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - B.J. Upton hit two solo homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, to clinch their first berth in an American League Championship Series in franchise history.

Andy Sonnanstine (1-0) held the White Sox to two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts and a walk, to win Game 4, and in the process clinch this American League Division Series for the Rays, who are making their first postseason appearance.

Carlos Pena went 3-for-4 with two RBI to supplement the early blasts by Upton, who homered three times in the last two games of the series for the AL East champions.

Gavin Floyd (0-1) surrendered four runs on five hits, including both of Upton's homers, in three-plus innings with four strikeouts and two walks to take the loss. Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye each hit solo homers for Chicago, which failed to get its two veteran stars -- Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Thome -- a chance at their first World Series championship.