Rays 3, White Sox 2: Evan Longoria hit a one-out homer in the top of the ninth as visiting Tampa Bay won a season-best eighth straight game and handed Chicago a devastating defeat.

Longoria slugged a curveball from Brett Myers (3-4) over the left-center field fence as the Rays moved two games behind the Oakland Athletics for the American League’s second wild card. Chicago lost for the eighth time in nine games and fell two games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.

Joel Peralta (2-6) worked a scoreless eighth for Tampa Bay and Fernando Rodney allowed a two-out single to Kevin Youkilis in the ninth before striking out Adam Dunn for his 46th save in 48 opportunities.

Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Pena but Chicago tied the score in the bottom of the inning when Dayan Viciedo was hit by a James Shields pitch with the bases loaded.

Luke Scott led off the fifth with his 14th homer of the season to give the Rays a 2-1 edge. The White Sox tied the contest in the bottom of the frame when Paul Konerko bounced into a double play with the bases loaded.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago starter Jake Peavy allowed two runs and four walks in 7 1/3 innings. Shields gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. … Rays OF Sam Fuld (hamstring) walked as a pinch hitter in the eighth in his first appearance since Sept. 16. … Youkilis went 3-for-4 and had two hits against Shields after being 4-for-39 against him entering the contest.