Longoria hit three solo home runs in his first three at bats, and missed becoming only the seventeenth player in major league history with four home runs in a game with his groundout to end the bottom of the eighth inning. Ryan Roberts added a solo home run of his own to account for the Rays offense.

Jeremy Hellickson had a strong performance to close out the season, allowing only a single to Adam Jones in the fourth inning. Overall, he pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just the one hit and a walk while striking out six batters. Fernando Rodney recorded the final out for his 48th save, and clinched the lowest ERA in MLB history for any pitcher who recorded 50+ innings of work.

The Orioles managed to put a run on the board in the top of the ninth against Joel Peralta. J.J. Hardy led off the inning with a double, and advanced to third on defensive indifference. Following a strikeout, Hardy came around to score on a sacrifice fly. A single to Matt Wieters chased Peralta, but Rodney was able to slam the door by getting Jim Thome to fly out to left to end the game.

The Rays ended their season as one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 13 of their last 15 games. Hopefully, they will be able to carry this momentum into 2013.

Matt Moore, who had given up nine earned runs in his past 9.2 innings, allowed only one hit, a fifth inning single, over his 5.1 innings of work. He walked two, striking out four as he delivered a solid performance when needed most.

White Sox starter Chris Sale was in trouble for most of the day, allowing four baserunners in the first two innings before the Rays struck in the third. Ben Zobrist drove in a run with a double, coming around to score on Jeff Keppinger‘s home run. The Rays continued to put the pressure on in the fourth, scoring a fourth run and putting runners on first and third with one out. Evan Longoria drove in the second run of the frame, as Sale gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out seven in 3.1 innings.

The Rays continued their offensive explosion. Chris Gimenez homered to lead off the sixth, putting the Rays up 6-0. Joyce led off the seventh with a home run, and capped the scoring for the Rays by drilling a three run home run in the eighth. Pinch hitter Orlando Hudson had a grand slam for the White Sox in the bottom of the frame, but the Chicago was unable to get any closer as the Rays won 10-4.

Chris Archer picked up his first career save, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks, striking out three in his three innings of relief. He received the save because of a rule technicality giving a save to any reliever who throws the final three innings of a game for his team without receiving the win. Zobrist, Joyce, and Gimenez each had two hits in the victory.

The game started off well for Tampa, as Ben Zobrist hit a solo home run in the first to quickly put the Rays on top. The Rays threatened in the top of the second, as Luke Scott singled, followed by a Jeff Keppinger walk. However, Floyd fought back, striking out two of the next three batters to end the threat.

Tampa had another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third, as Floyd walked Sam Fuld and Zobrist to put runners on first and second with one out. Again, Floyd managed to escape harm as he induced Evan Longoria into an inning ending double play.

The White Sox came back in the bottom of the third. Gordon Beckham led off the inning with a single, and moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt by Jeremy Hellickson. The error hurt immediately, as Kevin Youkilis poked a single to shallow right to tie up the game. Chicago took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Alex Rios led off the inning with a solo home run. Rios struck again in the sixth, lacing a double to lead off the inning, and coming around to score on a two out single by Alexei Ramirez.

Gavin Floyd was just effective enough to earn the win, allowing only one run on two hits. He walked five, but also struck out six Rays in his five innings of work. Addison Reed faced the final two batters to earn his 29th save. Hellickson was solid in the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk, striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Rios was 3-4 in the win, with two runs scored and an RBI as he finished a triple shy of the cycle.