10/06/2008 8:20 PM ET

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Sox reluctantly raise White flag
Game 4 loss to Rays in ALDS ends South Siders' season
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- After staving off elimination in four different games since Sept. 28, the White Sox valiant run came to an end on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tampa Bay claimed a 6-2 victory in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, taking the competition by a 3-1 margin and advancing to the AL Championship Series for the first time in franchise history. The White Sox could not overcome the starting pitching of Andy Sonnanstine, a rough start by Gavin Floyd and the timely hitting and slick baserunning of the Rays.

B.J. Upton homered in the first and again in the third off Floyd, giving him three long balls in four trips to the plate. The Rays added two in the fourth, chasing Floyd, who gave up four runs on five hits without retiring a batter in the fourth.

The White Sox tried to rally back via the long ball against Sonnanstine, who gave up two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Paul Konerko cleared the fences with two outs in the fourth and Jermaine Dye did the same with two outs in the sixth, but J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour finished off the final 3 1/3 innings, setting off the visitors' celebration.

It was the first playoff series loss for the White Sox since 2000, when the Mariners swept them in the ALDS.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

CONGRATS RAYS!