ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 17 (UPI) -- Ben Zobrist put Tampa Bay in front with a pinch-hit, grand slam homer in the sixth inning Friday and the Rays held on to defeat the Chicago White Sox 6-5.
Chicago broke up a 2-2 tie in the top half of the sixth on a solo homer by Carlos Quentin, his fifth homer of the year, and a two-run shot by Jermaine Dye. Tampa Bay then came back with Zobrist's big blast that allowed the Rays to snap a three-game losing streak.
Evan Longoria started the rally with a one-out double and moved to third on a two-out single by Pat Burrell. After Dioner Navarro drew a walk, Matt Thornton relieved Bartolo Colon and Zobrist was called on to hit for Gabe Gross.
Zobrist hit a 1-1 pitch from Thornton (0-1) out to left. Tampa Bay loaded the bases again in the inning before Carl Crawford ended it by lining to shortstop.
Tampa Bay starter James Shields (2-1) hung around for 7 1/3 innings to get the win. He gave up seven hits and five runs.
Closer Troy Percival allowed the potential tying run to reach third base in the ninth before picking up his second save by getting Josh Fields to pop out to second.
